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FMA UK policy work: submission of proposals to Jeremy Hunt and partnership with ARMA
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- Category: General Information
- Published on Sunday, 29 November 2015 16:29
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FMA UK, as a national charity for fibromyalgia in the UK, apart from providing help and direct support to thousands of people thorough the year, does also policy work with partner organisations and feeds back to NHS and government’s consultations to ensure that the voice of people living with fibromyalgia is always heard at the highest level and that healthcare services include the needs of fibromyalgia patients.
We are a member of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA), an alliance of charities and professional healthcare organisations, dedicated to improve the lives of people living with musculoskeletal conditions, including fibromyalgia. Working as part of an alliance, such as ARMA, ensures that we can feedback directly to decision makers in the NHS and government and that the planning for healthcare services includes patients living with fibromyalgia.
This month, through ARMA, we have had the opportunity to feedback directly to NHS England, including to Peter Kay, the Clinical Director for Musculoskeletal conditions and to Martin McShane, the NHS England Director for Long Term Conditions and to raise points, which we think will improve the diagnosis, treatment and care for people living with fibromyalgia. We have also submitted a proposal on preventative programmes to Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary.
Last week we have attended ARMA’s Annual Lecture, led by Professor John Newton, Chief Knowledge Officer at Public Health England, where we have had the opportunity to learn about the approaches to musculoskeletal conditions, which are adopted by Public Health England and to discuss these with Professor Newton.
FMA UK policy work is important to ensure that we keep abreast in developments and thinking in healthcare in areas relevant to the care of patients living with fibromyalgia and that we can feedback, influence and work with decision makers and other organisations to shape policy and services and to ensure that the voice of 2.7 million people living with fibromyalgia is heard.
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Our professionally printed Information pack on fibromyalgia can be found here to view. You will also receive a free copy on request. We also have a booklet for young people with fibromyalgia that you can obtain on request and will be on the website soon.
FMA UK has recently changed some of its telephone numbers for helplines and groups. Please check here for more information on the New Contact Numbers if required.
FMA UK offers a range of support and information including:
- National Helpline 0300 999 3333 (10am - 4pm Mon - Fri)
- Benefits Helpline 0300 999 0055 (10am - 12pm Mon, Wed and Fri)
- Complimentary information booklets for doctors and other professionals (fully referenced)
- Books and videos
- Website Contacts with legal specialists
- Conferences
- Local support group and helpline contacts
The charity is run by volunteers, most of whom have fibromyalgia.
If your Health Care Professional needs some education in fibromyalgia you can request that an FMA UK Health Professionals Pack is sent out to them. All we need is the name of the Health CareProfessional and the address of their practice. We will then send a pack to their surgery addressed from us to them.
You can request a medical pack using this form.
You can find a Support Group near you by contacting the Regional Coordinator for your area. If there does not happen to be a support group near you then maybe you can join with some other members and set one up. Support groups provide a social benefit as well as the opportunity to share tips on coping with fibro. They come in all shapes and sizes and we are often told how they have helped people.
