Research User Group Newsletter Keele University RUG Spring / Summer edition | Page 9

Musculoskeletal Health and Care 
IPCHS NEWS
9
Regional Event
Organised by Keele for ARMA  (Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance), NHS England and the West
Midlands Academic Health Science Network, the day brought together clinical health care
professionals, health care commissioners and patients.

A
long with researchers
from Keele, members of 
lhe Impact Accelerator Unit
(implementation team) and the
PPIE team, RUG members
Stephen Dent and June
Brammar attended an event in
Birmingham in March to discuss
the care of patients with
musculoskeletal conditions. 
The morning saw several
presentations, including one
from Keele’s Professor of
Clinical Epidemiology George
Peat, who teamed up with
Stephen to talk about the size
of the problem in the
population and for the
individual. Stephen expertly
discussed his journey with
Ankylosing Spondylitis,
explaining the positives and
negatives of the care he has
received for his condition.
He also participated in a
top table panel discussion
alongside the healthcare
professionals
 and was interviewed in the
afternoon on camera discussing the
day and his experience.
Other speakers included Professor
Peter Kay, National Clinical
Director for NHS England,
Professor Sir Keith Porter,
Professor of Clinical Traumatology,
University Hospitals Birmingham
NHS Trust and Dr Kiran Patel,
Medical Director of NHS England. 
Also from Keele, Professor Krysia
Dziedzic chaired a session on
musculoskeletal care in the
Midlands and Dr Andrew Finney,
Lecturer in Adult Nursing, spoke
about supporting an evidence based
workforce and the work of Keele’s
CAT group. 
priorities for musculoskeletal care
locally, which clearly highlighted the
need for clinicians and commissioners
to work together in clinical networks
to develop care pathways. Keele’s
Helen Duffy facilitated this discussion
and feedback and there was a real
spark from attendees, who agreed
that contracts mean clinicins are not
engaged in pathway discussions.
The Keele team produced a brochure
for the event which featured Keele
projects such as STarT Back, MSK-HQ
and JIGSAW. There was also a double
page spread on Listening to the
Patient Voice, in which the RUG and
the LINK were showcased. 
In the afternoon, conference
attendees sat in the geographical
areas in which they work to discuss
Professor Krysia Dziedzic
Stephen speaking at the event
Helen Duffy
Professor George Peat