ARMA Local Network Launch Meeting - 2nd March

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Dr Dawes welcomed all and thanked Kath Jones, Helen Duffy and Kay Stevenson for organising the afternoon. He also thanked Mike Ridley for agreeing to chair the afternoon session.

Gillian Econopouly from ARMA central office gave an overview of ARMA role in highlighting the care of patients with musculoskeletal disease. Questions to Gillian were around how an ARMA network can involve professional from organisation and how to manage any potential conflict of interest. Examples were given where services had been improved for patients through local networks.

Alex Bret then gave a presentation on the importance on gaining patient views and involving them in the design and evaluation of services. Questions to Alex were around the definition of how to achieve ‘patient led services’.

Helen Duffy then gave a presentation around the government’s perspective on dealing with patients with musculoskeletal disease. Issues such as 18 week pathway and choose and book were raised.

The attendees were then divided into ‘patient’ and ‘professional’ groups and were asked to discuss and highlight some of the challenges that we face in delivering services to patients with musculoskeletal disease. This is a summary of the issues raised by each group. Issues that are underlines are those issues which were considered to be a priority.

Feed back from patient group -
Communication

National policy
Local

Developing relationships with commissioners

Giving respect to patients

Will our view be taken seriously

Allocation of drugs, financial constraints

Access to services such as orthotics

Recognising patient preferences for treatment

Access to information
Run by patients
Area for self help groups
Information officer
Web site


Development of an information room



Make research findings easy to understand

Car park facilities

Facilities available for treatment, both in and outside of the NHS

Feedback from professional group -
Informed choice

Positive factors

patient factors
commissioning factors
clinician factors

Negative factors

Political
London
Restrictive system

Fit into a carepathway

Continuing care

Comparative data

Effect on services e.g. acute versus local elective

Care pathways (integrated) across geography

Patient journeys
Why, how who and when
Access, priority
Quality
Evidence based care
Governance
Invest to re shape
Focus on specific journey

Musculoskeletal Frame work

Where is document discussed
Where do patients want treatment (corner shop v supermarket)
Equipment and mirror services

Facility design

Heavy doors, suitable chairs

Implementation of national guidelines e.g. NICE

Changes in practice, techniques, drugs

Bring in other groups

Patients
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  • Each group fed back their comments and thoughts. It was felt that using an understandable ‘non jargon’ language was an important issue.

    Mike Ridley summarised the afternoon’s works and suggested 5 important next steps for the group to consider

    Develop local objectives

    Focus for the group, to be discussed at the next meeting
    Understandable terminology

    Establish a method of working

    How do we generate agenda etc?

    Statutory Organisation link

    Building cases for investment

    Identify top priorities

    This is the impact we can have as a group, increase our credibility

    Develop a PR strategy
    How do we highlight the work, members and achievements of the group?

    Next meeting - Friday 18th June