by Sue Brown, CEO ARMA
At the end of each year, I look back and reflect on what ARMA has achieved in the past 12 months. It’s easy to lose sight of the positive – things go well, we move on and tackle another challenge. So it’s good to remind ourselves what’s happened in the previous year.
To be honest I had forgotten our lecture earlier in the year, on the theme of Community Powered MSK. Looking back, I remember the feedback we had describing it as amazing, insightful, thought provoking, refreshing, inspiring and innovative. No wonder it is the most watched lecture we have ever recorded.
Sometimes our work trying to encourage better MSK services can be hard. Things are tough in the NHS, everyone is struggling. So hearing one of our regional meetings described as “brilliant and a very useful start to connect with others passionate in driving local MSK implementation” reminds me why we do what we do.
Much of my work involves sitting in meetings, commenting on policy proposals and discussing how services can be improved. It’s not glamorous, exciting or visible. It’s good to be reminded of feedback such as “Great perspectives that we will respond to” and know that ARMA is listened to and valued.
There is a lot of amazing work happening, despite the challenging environment. I was sorry to miss the NASS changemakers awards this week. I heard about some of the amazing work being done by the winners to reduce the delays in diagnosis of axial SpA. I know that across all our professional and patient member organisations, people are delivering positive change like this. It deserves celebrating.
It is a privilege to work alongside all our amazing members. I look forward to launching our health inequalities report next year, knowing that there are thousands of you out there who will take the recommendations, make them your own and make change. People who are most disadvantaged and most challenged by their MSK conditions will reap the benefits.
I hope you will all manage to get a break at some point over the festive season and find a moment to celebrate your achievements.