coronavirus-covid19 | ARMA

Joint statement from professionals and patients on MSK services in the event of a second wave of Covid-19

With cases of Covid-19 rising and the prospect of increased pressure on hospitals this winter as a result, it will be unacceptable for the NHS to respond to this by treating only urgent and emergency cases in musculoskeletal (MSK) services.

As organisations representing patients and professionals, we recognise that this was a necessary response in spring of this year. However, it came at significant cost to patients’ physical and mental health, and the resulting suffering will continue for many months, perhaps years, to come.…

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BOA position on suspending surgery due to COVID-19

With cases of COVID-19 currently rising across the UK, there are discussions of a second wave resulting in a spike in COVID-19 -related hospital admissions this autumn. In the first wave many of the activities of the NHS were put on hold as a precaution to preserve capacity. This was understandable in the face of a rapidly escalating and unpredictable threat. However, the BOA is keen to help ensure that in the event of a second wave the normal care of our patients is only suspended as a consequence of absolute necessity.…

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NRAS Work survey

In July and August 2020, NRAS ran a survey asking about the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on the working lives of people living with rheumatoid arthritis or another form of inflammatory arthritis.

The survey received 348 responses and a short report will be published next month. The overall picture is a concerning one: people reported that their career opportunities, in-work support and the understanding they experienced from colleagues and employers dropped slightly during lockdown. Asked about their expectations for the future, many expected this trend to get worse.…

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Pandemic Patient Experience

The Patients Association has published a report of patient experiences of Covid-19. The results show the massive toll on all patients of the coronavirus pandemic and the emergency measures taken in response to it. Some patients reported good ongoing care, and were impressed by the way their local communities came together to support them.

The report contains recommendations for the next phase of the emergency response, and also a call for the health and care system to be built back better after the pandemic: the current emergency footing cannot be the basis for the ongoing relationship between patients and the NHS.…

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BOA Patient statement regarding COVID-19 and elective care

The British Orthopaedic Association has published their latest patient statement for those people currently awaiting elective surgery, many of whom are experiencing uncertainties and difficulties. Growing waiting lists are affecting all planned surgery, but particularly orthopaedics (bone and joint treatment) which has the largest overall waiting list of any individual specialty.

The BOA has created this statement to provide some information and guidance to support patients during this time. If you could please pass this on to help reach those affected it would be most appreciated.…

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New Video for South Asian Communities about COVID-19

For some time now NRAS and their Health Professional Medical Advisor in this field, Dr. Kanta Kumar, (Lecturer at the University of Birmingham), have wanted to be able to provide a tailored service and support for the UK South Asian population. One of NRAS’s long term strategic aims is to make our services more visible, relevant and accessible to those who need them most, particularly those communities who, for reasons of language, culture and/or health literacy skills may be less able to negotiate about their healthcare needs or successfully navigate the health system.…

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National Patient Champion’s views on ending shielding

After more than four months shielding, NRAS founder and National Patient Champion Ailsa Bosworth MBE has shared her thoughts on shielding coming to an end.

You can watch Ailsa’s video of her personal reflections on the lockdown experience and coming out of shielding on the NRAS YouTube channel.

What to expect from your osteopathic appointment

The Institute of Osteopathy has issued an information video about what patients can expect when visiting an osteopath during COVID-19.

The video highlights the steps the osteopathic profession have taken to ensure patients can be confident that steps have been taken to keep them COVID safe.

HMSA – Coronavirus Shielding: Advice for re-joining the world

This blog post from the HMSA’s Occupational Therapist, Jo Southall, provides an overview of strategies to deal with the not entirely comfortable idea of returning to an uncertain world when you’ve been shielding for some time, and is packed with ideas about how to ease that transition.

Jo is responsible for team wellbeing at the HMSA and also runs a monthly #HMSALiveOT show from the HMSA Facebook page at 7pm on the third Thursday of each month, taking your Occupational Therapy questions live or in advance.…

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Women and young people hit hardest by lockdown

Study suggests women and young people have been hardest hit psychologically by coronavirus lockdown

A new study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, has looked at the potential impact of the coronavirus pandemic on population mental health.

It found that there was an overall increase in mental distress in people aged 16 years and older in the UK.
This did not affect all groups equally, with some subgroups showing marked increases. Factors most strongly linked with mental health deterioration were those associated with pre-existing health inequalities, such as gender and age.

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