working with arthritis | ARMA

GP contract reform

Since the NHS Long Term Plan (LTP) was published on 7 January 2019 a new document, Investment and evolution: A five-year framework for GP contract reform to implement The NHS Long Term Plan, has been released which includes the roll out of the Primary Care Networks model. Here’s a summary of the relevant MSK elements.

The publication covers the following areas:

Addressing the workforce shortfall
Solving Indemnity Costs
Improving the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF)
Introducing the Network Contract DES
Going ‘digital-first’ and improving access
Delivering new network services
Guaranteeing investment
Supporting research and testing future contract changes
Schedule of future contract changes and development work

Workforce

Workforce is identified as the priority for primary care.…

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New MSK at Work Network

Good musculoskeletal (MSK) health is integral to a full working life. The MSK at Work Network, established in 2019, aims to keep workers healthy via advocacy to:

Policy makers (e.g. to mandate MSK at work strategies to support employees);
Employers (e.g. to put in place MSK at work action linked with general work and health activities for employees);
Health professionals (e.g. to ensure MSK at work is part of practice with patients) and
Academics (e.g. to communicate MSK at work research and identify gaps).

…

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CEO update: The NHS Long-Term Plan – it’s what happens next that matters

by Sue Brown, CEO ARMA

The NHS Long-Term plan was published earlier this week. I was pleased to see quite a bit about musculoskeletal health throughout the document. There has been lots of immediate reaction, positive and negative. I think now is the time to focus on the positive, so here are my highlights.

The first reference to musculoskeletal health comes early on, (para 1.17) but seems to be mostly about frailty and older people. Great, I thought as I read this, but MSK isn’t just about older people.…

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Fit for Work UK Coalition closes

After a decade of campaigning, the Fit for Work Coalition closed at the end of 2018, having succeeded in securing greater recognition of the importance of good work as a health outcome for people living with long-term conditions.

The Fit for Work UK Coalition’s website remains live so you can still read the policy documents and reports that the Coalition produced: www.fitforworkuk.com/resources.

A blog post from the Work Foundation celebrating the Coalition’s achievements is available, together with a timeline of important milestones in public policy relating to musculoskeletal health and work.…

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New arthritis survey: the Impact on Daily Life

Arthritis Action has released the findings from a nation-wide questionnaire-based study looking into the life impacts of arthritis on people of working age in Great Britain. The research, carried out by YouGov, surveyed 2074 people to reveal the effects that the condition can have on personal well-being, life satisfaction, and mental health.

It highlights the true impact of arthritis on the millions of people living with it every day, affecting all aspects of their lives, from their mental health to their family life, work, social activities, and physical health.…

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Guest blog: Why doesn’t it work?

by Dr Steven Boorman CBE, Director of Employee Health, Empactis,
Chair of the Council for Work and Health

As I head towards the milestone later this year of passing my thirtieth year in occupational health, I find myself optimistic mixed with the “glass half empty” of recognising that the same barriers remain in place: barriers to those who want to work with long term conditions. Over my career I have worked regularly with ARMA members and experts, and I have personal experience of working with a MSK condition.…

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Working with Arthritis Survey

Arthritis Research UK wants to hear people’s experiences of working with arthritis.

Arthritis Research UK is asking people to respond to their survey on working with arthritis.

Everyone who takes part in the survey will help the Arthritis Research UK campaigns team better understand the key problems faced by people with arthritis in the workplace, and help make a case to Government about the support people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions need to thrive at work.

We would really appreciate it if any ARMA members could share the survey with their supporters and beneficiaries.…

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Guest blog: Invisible disability at work

by Jane Green BSc. (HONS) Psych., PGCE, Av.Dip. Ed. Child Development, MA Ed. (Leadership and Management / autism)

Why did I stop working in my professional career?

Two-and-a-half years ago I medically retired. This was after years of pain following full dislocations; half-dislocations; sprains; tears in joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons; and arthritis. I received my diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome 3 (now hEDS) and associated conditions later that year.

As a child, I did have a few problems with joints and did ‘party tricks’.…

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ARMA Annual lecture: Dame Carol Black

Musculoskeletal conditions, disability and employment

Dame Carol Black is the outstanding expert advisor on health and work and principal of Newnham College Cambridge. Her lecture, delivered in London as part of the ARMA Annual Lecture series, was on progress to date by government, health professionals and employers on musculoskeletal conditions and their impact on employment and a person’s wellbeing.

The lecture and reception was well attended with an interesting Q&A session and lively twitter dialog using #MSKatWork.

You can watch the lecture on this page, where you can also find the accompanying slides for the presentation and photos from the event, or see the video directly via our YouTube channel.…

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Guest Blog: NHS Staff Survey – Looking after our healthcare staff

By Chris Graham, Chief Executive, Picker Institute Europe

Arguments about the pressures on the NHS at a system level are well rehearsed; rising demand, financial restraint, and challenges around staffing numbers are well reported. But what of the impact of caring on healthcare professionals as people?

The NHS Staff Survey is an annual survey that aims to help providers to understand how it feels to work in the health service. In 2016, it recorded the experiences of more than 423,000 members of NHS staff – and provides fascinating insight into the health and wellbeing of NHS staff.…

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