by Sue Brown, CEO ARMA
In the last few weeks we have had two new organisations join ARMA – welcome to Lupus UK and National Spine Network. As I write this, I have just received another inquiry about membership so that may soon be three new members.
This is a good time for ARMA’s membership to be growing. I’m writing in the run up to the general election. The airwaves are filled with parties bidding for your vote, making wild claims and undeliverable promises. My inbox and social media are filled with organisations competing for attention. Everyone wants to make sure that the new government understands the importance of their perspective.
After polling day, whatever the result, a government will need to deliver and that will be a very tough ask. Every government department has serious challenges to be addressed from climate change to the economy and of course, health. The NHS is facing record levels of need amid a staffing crisis and enormous waiting lists. Action will need to be taken quickly, but there is no quick fix. As a new government grapples with these challenges, a cacophony of voices will be pulling their attention in different directions, arguing for the importance of their specific interest.
In amongst this, what does MSK need?
- We need a strong, confident, united voice and in my view, ARMA is the vehicle to bring that voice together.
- We need to pull together, bringing every facet of MSK health into the fold.
- We need to be clear just how important MSK is to the wider task the government faces – MSK health is the bedrock of people’s ability to work, to contribute to society and to live independently and well.
- We need to realise that MSK does not stand alone – many of the things that support those with long term MSK conditions are also relevant to other conditions. We must join with others in the call for personalised care, supported self-management, because we all stand to benefit.
- We need to talk about MSK health in the widest sense – we don’t just need an MSK illness service that sorts us out when things go wrong. We also need a society that supports every one of us to live the healthiest possible lives.
The day after polling day, 5th July, is the ARMA AGM and CEO meeting. That will be the start of our own tough task. We can begin to take stock of the result and think about how we can make our voice heard, the importance of MSK health understood and play our part in solving some of the huge challenges we face across the UK.
Will you join us?