Susan Oliver Associates - Independent Rheumatology Nursing Specialists

You may already be working as a rheumatology nurse or provide care and support to patients with arthritis in either primary or secondary care settings

This maybe the first time you have explored information or training opportunities in rheumatology. If this is the case I just want to emphasise how important your interest is. There is a shortage of nurses trained in musculoskeletal care and we really need your interest…please explore this website!

In either case a warm welcome to you and hope you will find all the information you need or can access the best links as a result of vising this website. [Journals] [Awards & Bursaries] [Courses]

There are excellent resources available and I hope that this website will help point you in the right direction and provide plenty of links that are of use to you. Look at the links page to give you a taste of some of the links and information available. [Links]

If you are interested in learning more about rheumatology nursing and need to know something of the core competencies of nurses in rheumatology you might find.’Rheumatology Nursing: results of a survey exploring the performance and activity of rheumatology nurses’ published by The Royal College of Nursing in 2009 helpful to look at. The document scoped the current nursing workforce in rheumatology and explored key information such as their qualifications, activities and performance measures.
There are also two competencies set out in www.skillforhealth.org.uk as well as many generic competencies. In addition there are excellent material for you to explore atwww.arthritisresearchuk.org as well as training materials and opportunities to seek a bursary.

For nurses interested in ward management. A useful videos and resources that can be accessed via www.institute.nhs.uk on improving ward management. This approach can enhance activity and increase direct patient contact. This approach may be helpful to all nurses who wish to optimise direct patient care.

There are standards of care that have been published by the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) with the last ones being published in 2007. The standards covered ; Inflammatory Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Back Pain. Metabolic bone disease, connective tissues disease and regional musculoskeletal pain. These standards, together with other key documents provide a good framework for health care professionals to consider when providing services to individuals with arthriti. They should also be readily accessible to individuals with arthritis to help them recognise what they should expect. You can link up to the ARMA website.www.arma.uk.net
ARMA publications
foot health pdf 3mb
inflammatory arthritis pdf 370kb
back pain pdf 556kb
osteoarthritis pdf 91 kb

King’s Fund Report
National Audit Report

In the 2006 the Department of Health launched the Musculoskeletal Strategy Framework [pdf 2.5mb] This document outlines musculoskeletal conditions and current thinking on achieving national targets to ensure optimum in care. [associates clinical & associates managerial]