Arthritis Research

Arthritis Research UK is the leading authority on arthritis in the UK, conducting scientific and medical research into all types of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.

It is the UK’s fourth largest medical research charity and the only charity solely committed to funding high quality research into the cause, treatment and cure of arthritis, which affects more than seven million people in the UK today and millions more worldwide.

BackCare

BackCare is a national charity that aims to reduce the impact of back pain on society by providing information, support, promoting good practice and funding research.

BackCare acts as a hub between patients, (healthcare) professionals, employers, policy makers, researchers and all others with an interest in back pain. 

Birmingham Arthritis Resource Centre

The Birmingham Arthritis Resource Centre (BARC) vision is to enable people with arthritis to have an improved quality of life and greater long-term independence through education about their diseases.

This information will be provided in a variety of forms and aimed at the multi-cultural society that makes up Birmingham, particularly those who infrequently obtain conventional medical help, through partnership with local communities and the research environment of the University.

British Chiropractic Associate

The British Chiropractic Associate (BCA) is the largest and longest-standing association for chiropractors in the UK.  It was founded in 1925 and has a membership comprising over 50% of the UK’s registered chiropractors.

The BCA only accepts members who have graduated from a nationally or internationally-recognised college of chiropractic education, after a minimum of four years full-time training and ensures its chiropractors maintain high standards of conduct, practice, education and training.

The BCA was a founder member of the European Chiropractors Union and the World Federation of Chiropractic.  All BCA members are covered by a high quality professional indemnity insurance and the Association operates a robust professional standards and complaints management process.

British Health Professionals in Rheumatology

British Health Professionals in Rheumatology (BHPR) exists to unite and support members of the multi-disciplinary team in delivering best quality care which meets the needs of individuals with musculoskeletal conditions. 

BHPR was established in 1985 to bring together all the disciplines of the health professions whose major interest lies in the care of people with musculoskeletal conditions.We have over 500 members from many professions: nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, psychology, social work, medicine, pharmacy and others.

The British Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine

The British Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine (BIMM). An organisation to promote the study of Musculoskeletal Disorders.

The long-term aims of the Institute are to promote education and research in the science and art of musculoskeletal medicine for the ultimate benefit of the public. Disseminate knowledge about musculoskeletal medicine among the medical profession and stimulate and encourage clinical research. Co-ordinate efforts to increase the teaching of this speciality within the established educational structure. Promote the speciality within the NHS and to develop Musculoskeletal Medicine as a specialty. 

B.I.M.M. is interested in all forms of musculoskeletal medicine; sports medicine, osteopathic treatment, other types of manipulation, injection techniques and the use of physiotherapy and allied techniques. A large part of the work load for most members is back pain, but all forms of muscle and joint injury and pain are dealt with regularly. The techniques taught by the Institute are of use to all doctors especially in General Practice, Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Pain Clinics. Membership of the Institute is restricted to registered medical practitioners.

B.I.M.M. cooperates closely with the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine (SOM) which, in addition to medical members, has a strong physiotherapist membership. We jointly run a Winter Symposium in London, and publish, in association with the American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine and the Dutch Federation of Manual Medicine, the Journal of Orthopaedic medicine.

British Orthopaedic Association

The British Orthopaedic Association (BOA)is the professional association for trauma and orthopaedic surgeons in the United Kingdom and those abroad who have had orthopaedic training in the UK or who show a continuing interest in the affairs of the Association. The Association’s mission is to advance, for the public benefit, the science, art and practice of orthopaedic surgery with the aim of bringing relief to patients of all ages suffering from the effects of injury or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

British Osteopathic Association

The British Osteopathic Association(BOA) is an independent organisation representing osteopaths working both within the NHS and privately all over the United Kingdom. The BOA promotes understanding of the benefits of osteopathy and encourage its use on the NHS to government departments and to the general public, in particular its effectiveness in helping to reduce the amount of workplace absence through musculoskeletal problems. The BOA works to protect the principles and philosophies of osteopathy as a hands-on, drug free therapy delivering low-cost, high-quality primary healthcare.

British Sjogren Syndrome Association

The British Sjögren’s Syndrome Association (BSSA) was founded in 1986, as a registered charity, to raise awareness of the disease and support research into its cause and treatment. A self-help organisation with more than 2000 members, the BSSA is dedicated to providing mutual support and information to individuals affected by this disabling disease. We have regional support groups throughout the UK whose members include sufferers and supporters who work together in helping one another cope with the day to day challenges of this debilitating and distressing condition. The BSSA also has a helpline, we distribute a variety of literature including an informative quarterly newsletter and we award an annual research grant. There is currently no cure for Sjögren’s Syndrome and the cause is still unknown. Tel (Helpline): 0121 478 1133

British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology

British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology(BSPAR). BSPAR is a specialist society linked to the RCPCH (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health), with membership open to all health care professionals involved in the care of children and adolescents by Paediatric Rheumatology departments in UK and Ireland. BSPAR aims to advance paediatric rheumatology care in the UK and Ireland by: Raising the standards of clinical care Enhancing the quality of training and promoting research

British Society for Rheumatology

The British society for Rheumatology (BSR)promotes excellence in the treatment of people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions and supports those delivering it. We have a 25 year history of promoting high quality standards of care, and providing education, training and support to those working in rheumatology. We have more than 1,500 members including rheumatologists, scientists, trainees, allied health professionals and others from the UK and overseas

British Society Rehabilitation Medicine

The British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine (BSRM) is a learned society representing doctors who practise in Rehabilitation Medicine.  It was formed in 1984 in the name of the Medical Disability Society and is a registered charity (Reg. No.  293196).

 The Society encourages doctors in all clinical specialties to be involved in education and research into the management of disability.  Membership of the BSRM is open to all registered medical practitioners interested and concerned with its objectives. 

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK’s 50,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers.

The CSP leads, promotes and represents the physiotherapy profession by driving excellence in physiotherapy practice and employment, and influencing healthcare policy across the UK. It is the voice of physiotherapy in the UK, supporting its members in transforming peoples’ health and well being. 

The CSP is a progressive, dynamic, member-centred organisation which aims to:

• lead and support all members in developing and promoting high quality innovative patient care

• protect and further advance the interests and working lives of its members

• raise the profile of the physiotherapy profession and influence the health care agenda

• work openly in partnership to meet the diverse needs of both its members and their patients.

Childrens Chronic Arthritis Association

Founded in 1985, The Childrens Chronic Arthritis Association (CCAA) is a registered charity providing a support network for children with Arthritis and their families.

We aim to give practical help and support through our network and area family contacts, and to provide various educational and recreational opportunities for children with JIA.

The CCAA is a user led organisation which means children with Arthritis are at the heart of our work.  They form our membership, are involved in all of our activities and direct what we do as a charity.

British Association Occupational Therapists

The British Association of Occupational Therapists is the professional body for all occupational therapy staff in the United Kingdom.

The College of Occupational Therapists is a wholly owned subsidiary of BAOT and operates as a registered charity.

The College sets the professional and educational standards for the occupational therapy profession and represents the profession at the national and international levels.
 

ERAN

Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Network (ERAN) is a network of British Rheumatology Departments who collect & monitor clinical details on all early RA patients in a standard way in order to assess outcome in the long term on a national basis. 

Objectives are - 

• To record a minimum core data set of all new (and potential) RA cases. 
• To collect data compatible with the BSR anti-TNFa register. 
• To allow the facility for additional and optional data collection.

Fibromyalgia Association UK

Fibromyalgia Association UK is a registered charity administered by unpaid volunteers. FMA UK represents the possible 5% of the population with fibromyalgia. By raising awareness of fibromyalgia among medical professionals, politicians and the general public, we hope to improve the knowledge and availability of treatment options.

The majority of volunteers are also fibromyalgia sufferers who work extremely hard, despite their condition, in order to forward the cause of fibromyalgia.  FMA UK was established in order to provide information and support to sufferers and their families. In addition, the Association provides medical information for professionals and operates a national helpline.

Newsletters: Fibromyalgia in Tonbridge

 

 

Fibroaction

FibroAction is a dynamic national charity that was created because a group of people felt that raising awareness of Fibro in the UK was essential to the future wellbeing of everyone with the condition.

Everything we do is about taking a positive and proactive approach to Fibromyalgia Syndrome. FibroAction aims to be as transparent as possible about how the charity is run. Five different groups of people have a vital say in how FibroAction is run.

LUPUS

LUPUS UK is the only national registered charity supporting people with systemic lupus and discoid lupus and assisting those approaching diagnosis. We presently have over 6000 Members and a number of Regional Groups around the UK who arrange medical talks, publish local newsletters, set up local occasions and organise fundraising events.

LUPUS UK also produces an informative national magazine with lupus articles, letters, reports, and photographs, and operates a strong Grant Programme for research purposes and welfare.

Musculoskeletal Association Chartered Physiotherapists

The Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) is a group of over 1100 physiotherapists, who are members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. In addition to their undergraduate training they have all undertaken extensive postgraduate study and reached a recognised standard of excellence in neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy. Their knowledge and practical skills ensures that all MACP Physiotherapists are able to provide an excellent standard of care in examination, treatment and management for people with neuromusculoskeletal problems. In the UK the MACP is recognised as the specialist manipulative therapy group by the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT). To obtain membership of the MACP clinicians have to complete a recognised postgraduate course of study, many of which are at a Master of Science level. The association has 1000 full members (members who have passed a stringent examination process) and almost 200 associate members (members undertaking post-graduate education leading to membership).

McTimoney College of Chiropractic

The McTimoney College of Chiropractic (MCA) was founded over 30 years ago and is the second largest chiropractic organisation in the UK. Members of the Association are all registered chiropractors.

The McTimoney method of chiropractic was developed by the late John McTimoney over 30 years ago and is taught only at the McTimoney College of Chiropractic in Abingdon, near Oxford. It is well known for being a gentle, precise, whole body approach to chiropractic care.

The MCA’s vision is to be ‘an influential, dynamic and caring membership led association, driven by its values of Intergrity, Empowerment, Dynamism, Caring, Excellence and Community’.

 The aims of the Association include

• To support the essential principles, philosophy and the art of Pure Chiropractic as developed by the late John McTimoney (from the original work by Daniel D Palmer).

• To foster and support the training of suitable persons in both McTimoney Chiropractic and McTimoney Animal Chiropractic.

• To represent and promote the profession of Chiropractic for humans and animals in its relations and negotiations and to confer with other professions, departments of state and any governmental or inter-governmental agencies whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere and with any body or association representing Chiropractors and/or Animal Chiropractic outside the United Kingdom. 

Nationa Ankylosing Spondylitis Society

The National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) is the only registered charity dedicated to the needs of people affected by ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in the UK.

 

Since 1976 NASS has played a crucial role in providing accurate and up to date information allowing people with AS to have a greater understanding of their disease and in turn, make more informed choices in the management of their symptoms.

Paget Association

National Association for the Relief of Paget’s Diseaseis a charity was founded in 1973 by Anne Stansfield MBE, who was driven by a lack of understanding and interest in the treatment of her husband who had Paget’s disease.

 

The main aims of the charity are to:

• Offer support and information to those with Paget’s disease
• Raise awareness of the disease among health professionals and the general public
• Sponsor research into the causes and treatment of Paget’s disease

National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society

The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) is the only UK patient led charity exclusively dedicated to supporting the approximately 677,000 people in Britain with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as their families, carers and the healthcare professionals who treat them.

The charity has an excellent reputation based on professionalism, expertise, collaborative working, sound achievement, careful financial planning and rapid, but sustainable, growth.

NRAS provides support, information and advocacy for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, their families, friends and carers. We are also a resource for health professionals with an interest in rheumatology and work closely with rheumatology teams across the UK.

Our goal is ‘a better life for people living with rheumatoid arthritis’ and we seek to achieve this by:

• Providing information, education, support and advocacy
• Raising public and government awareness of RA
• Campaigning for equity of access to best treatment and care
• Facilitating the networking of people with RA and encouraging self-help

Our volunteer network, now in excess of 400 people with RA across the UK, are there to provide peer to peer telephone support so we can put you in touch with someone else with the disease in similar circumstances to yourself, who can understand just what you are going through, because they’ve been there too.

Podiatry Rheumatic Care Association

The Podiatry Rheumatic Care Association is an independent group working towards excellence in the care of rheumatic foot disorders through education and research.

Established in January 1997, this is the association for podiatrists who have an interest or who are currently working in the area of Rheumatology and musculoskeletal pathology.

Aims are

• To provide a network between Podiatrists and to facilitate support for podiatrists working in the field of Rheumatology
• To develop a programme of post graduate education in the field of rheumatic care and some form of post graduate qualification
• To encourage and support research in the area of rheumatology
• To promote Podiatry within Rheumatology and the role of the Podiatrist in the field of rheumatology
• To achieve recognition within Rheumatology of the specialist skills that Podiatrists have in this important field of medicine

Primary Care Rheumatology Society

The Primary Care Rheumatology Society (PCR)was set up in 1986 by a group of general practitioners with a special interest in Rheumatology.

 

PCR’s aims are:

• To improve education in Rheumatology in general practice
• To set up relevant research topics
• To increase communication between hospital rheumatologists and other relevant health professionals, with the ultimate aim of improving care for patients with rheumatic disease.

 

Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis

Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis Scotland (PMR-GCA Scotland), the first charity in the UK specifically for PMR and GCA, set up in March 2006, gained charitable status in 2007.

These conditions affect those over 50, who, if severely affected, can be devastated physically, mentally and emotionally. Prior to setting up, no specific organisation existed to address the unmet support needs and professional medical ambivalence faced by those with PMR or GCA.

From a Dundee base we have established a local support group which meets monthly and we have helped to established groups across the UK. Contacts, many already coping with ageing, receive information, empathetic support and advocacy through a helpline, in order to manage their condition more effectively and so increase their wellbeing and ultimately the wellbeing of the community.

Our website is available to those in this age group who have internet access and is much appreciated. We aim to continue to support people with PMR & GCA who often have other long term conditions, increase awareness, encourage research and raise the profile of PMR-GCA within the NHS, government and the wider public in order to improve the varied and often unacceptable standards of diagnosis, treatment and care.

Psoroasis Scotland Arthritis Link Volunteers

Psoroasis Scotland Arthritis Link Volunteers (PSALV) was launched in early 2004 as a charity based in Scotland, raising awareness and lobbying politicians.

PSALV have a website which provides a newsletter for  members, with articles by doctors on different topics. We also run public info seminars.

Psoriasis Association

The Psoriasis Association is the leading national membership organisation for people affected by psoriasis – patients, families, carers and health professionals.
Founded in 1968 by Dr Dick Coles, a Consultant Dermatologist in Northampton, the Association has three main aims:

1. To support people who have psoriasis
2. To raise awareness about psoriasis
3. To fund research into the causes, treatments and care of psoriasis

Rheumatoid Arthritis Surgical Society

The Rheumatoid Arthritis Surgical Society was founded in 1973 in the firm belief of its founding members that the surgical care of rheumatoid patients was a true sub-specialty of Orthopaedic Surgery.

The surgical problems which rheumatoid patients present are created by a systemic illness, so that the surgeon’s contribution to patient care must be undertaken in conjunction with a rheumatologist.

Royal College of Nursing

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) represents nurses and nursing, promotes excellence in practice and shapes health policies.

To deliver our mission we aim to represent the interests of nurses and nursing and be their voice locally, nationally and internationally.

RSI Action

RSI Action… is the new national RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) charity

• Our objects are:
  To facilitate the prevention of the conditions known collectively as Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) in the UK.
• To facilitate the relief of sickness, hardship and distress amongst those suffering within the UK from RSI conditions.

RSI Action has recognised it has significant tasks ahead, and will develop projects and activities to address them. This list is not exhaustive; it will be reviewed and will no doubt increase.

• to raise awareness of RSI conditions and the consequences
• to significantly reduce RSI risks in the workplace
• to significantly reduce RSI risks for students, and in the home
• to ensure that society understands the physical, social and economic problems resulting from RSI

 

Scleroderma Society

The Scleroderma Society is a registered charity (No.286736) founded in 1982.

The society’s aims are to

• help and support people with scleroderma
• increase awareness of scleroderma
• fund scientific and medical research 

Membership is open to anyone. Society members range from people who have the disease themselves, or have a relative or friend with the illness, to doctors and healthcare professionals with an interest in scleroderma.
There is a small annual subscription which covers the cost of a quarterly newsletter.

The society is managed and run by volunteers including our trustees  who are elected by the membership every three years. Members join from all over the UK and we now have a number of regional groups that meet locally . Members keep in touch via a quarterly newsletter, and our Scleroderma Society U.K. sub forum. We also exchange newsletters with other groups around the world.