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Access and Waiting Times

Moving beyond BMI. Putting people before thresholds.

I welcome the new report from Arthritis UK and Deborah Alsina's powerful blog. It shines a clear light on an issue ARMA and our members have raised consistently: access to care must be based on clinical need, not arbitrary thresholds. For people living with musculoskeletal conditions, this is not an abstract policy debate. It is...
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ICBs ration surgeries with BMI thresholds

Arthritis UK Urges ICBs to Scrap BMI Threshold Policies Used to Ration Surgeries Almost a fifth of ICBs in England are rationing joint replacement surgery based on a person's BMI, an approach that contradicts NICE guidance for the diagnosis and management of osteoarthritis. These policies vary across England, creating a postcode lottery where patients may...
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Denied by BMI: How ICB policies are failing patients with arthritis

Guest Blog by Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Arthritis UK Across England, people with arthritis are being left to wait in pain for joint replacement surgery that could transform their lives. Almost a fifth of ICBs are ignoring NICE guidelines and rationing surgeries based on a single arbitrary threshold, a patient's BMI. Moreover, a...
Blog

20 Million Reasons our new strategy matters

Publishing a new strategy is always a moment to pause. Not just to look ahead, but to reflect on why the choices you're making matter and why now is the right time to be ambitious. ARMA's new strategy is grounded in a simple but powerful truth: there are 20 million reasons to act. Over 20...
News


Funding for Osteopathy degree apprenticeship

The Institute of Osteopathy has been leading on the development of a pre-registration degree apprenticeship standard for Osteopathy. The funding band for the apprenticeship standard has now been approved by the Secretary of State. The standard itself was officially published on the Skills England website on 18 February 2026. Read here
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iO Roadshows 2026 tickets on sale!

The Institute of Osteopathy is excited to share that tickets are now on sale for the iO Roadshows 2026. It's a valuable opportunity for osteopaths from across the profession to connect, exchange views, ideas and share best practices. This new series of full-day CPD events will visit regions across the UK and is open to...
Event


BOA Annual Congress 2026 – Abstract submissions now open

The next BOA Annual Congress with the theme of 'The Changing Faces of Orthopaedics' is taking place at Olympia in London on 22nd - 24th September 2026. Abstract submissions are now open and close on Sunday 10th May 2026. Categories include, Education, Trauma, Hip, Knee, Developing World Orthopaedics, Medical Students, and more. Find more details...
Event


A moment to reflect and a moment to act

As we approach publication of ARMA's new five-year strategy, this feels like an important moment to pause and reflect on the state of musculoskeletal (MSK) health, our sector, and our Alliance. The challenges are clear. Community MSK waiting lists remain among the longest in the NHS, leaving too many people waiting in persistent pain and...
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BOA Annual Congress 2026 – Save the date

The next BOA Annual Congress - with the theme of 'the Changing Faces of Orthopaedics' - is taking place at Olympia in London on 22nd-24th September 2026. For more details, please visit here.
Event


Check out CAT Podcast No. 2

The Cornwall Arthritis Trust is thrilled to be partnering again with Sally Crabtree from Art Connexion to share this, their second podcast episode. Tune in for inspiring interviews with leading voices-including Professor Tony Woolf and Rachel Faulkner, plus practical tips and empowering advice for anyone living with Arthritis or other MSK conditions. Whether you're looking...
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