Fourth APPG on Axial SpA

The fourth meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Axial SpA took place on 15 July 2020. The meeting focussed on axial SpA (AS) services during the COVID-19 pandemic and also how services may now change as a result. A full report is available via the news page on the NASS website.

New guidance on corticosteroids

The guidance ‘Management of Patients with Musculoskeletal and Rheumatic Conditions on Corticosteroids’ has now been superseded by the following guidance, issued on 16 June 2020. It applies to: Management of patients with musculoskeletal and rheumatic conditions who: – are on corticosteroids – require initiation of oral/IV corticosteroids – require a corticosteroid injection The new guidance…

Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) MSK standards and framework

Health Education England (HEE) in conjunction with the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) has commissioned a piece of work to develop the operational aspect of the Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) MSK standards. SOMM has been selected to be part of the MSK partnership task & finish group that will be focussing on developing mechanisms…

ARMA welcomes the Psoriasis Association

ARMA is happy to extend a warm welcome to the Psoriasis Association, our newest member. The Psoriasis Association offers information and support in a variety of ways to people whose lives are affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis; patients, relatives, friends, healthcare professionals and the general public. Founded in 1968, the Psoriasis Association has always…

FSEM Membership Exam Part One going ahead

The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine is pleased to confirm that this year’s FSEM Membership Examination in Sport and Exercise Medicine Part One will go ahead as scheduled on 9 September 2020. To minimise disruption caused by COVID 19, the closing date for those wishing to sit the examination has been extended to 31…

BOA – People waiting for orthopaedic surgery

A British Orthopaedic Association message to people waiting for joint replacement and other orthopaedic surgery Growing waiting lists are affecting all planned surgery, but particularly orthopaedics which has the largest overall waiting list of any individual specialty. The BOA’s statement [published 26 June 2020] is a response to the concern, frustration and a lack of…

Aspiring to Excellence 2020 programme deadline extended

The deadline for rheumatology teams to apply to the Aspiring to Excellence programme has now been extended to 18 September 2020. The programme is designed to encourage and recognise service improvement in axial SpA (AS) care and is a strategic partnership between NASS, BRITSpA and sponsoring companies AbbVie, Biogen, Novartis and UCB. There are six…

How do you make care person-centred for the child and family?

Guest blog by Nina Davies, Project Lead: Integrating Long Term Condition Training and Development, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust; Co-Chair Children’s Podiatry Special Advisory Group, The College of Podiatry Person-centred care (‘person first’ or ‘child and family centred care’) is a term to reflect treating the whole person, encompassing physical, mental and social wellness, environment…

NRAS elects new Chair

Simon Collins NRAS is delighted to announce Simon Collins as the newly elected Chair of the Board of Trustees and would like to thank Gordon Taylor for four years as chair. The Society is pleased that Gordon will continue to serve as an NRAS Trustee. Four newly elected Trustees have also joined the established board…

Changes to shielding guidance

The shielding guidance has changed so that from 1 June 2020 people who are shielding are advised that they may go outside once per day following strict social distancing. No other aspect of the guidance has changed, so people are still advised that they should remain 2 metres away from other members of their household,…