News

Looking for UK South Asian Volunteers

We’re looking for people from UK South Asian communities who have Rheumatoid Arthritis or Adult Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and are interested in volunteering. The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society are the leading patient organisation in the UK with a focus on providing information, support, education, advocacy and campaigning on behalf of people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis […]

News, 15 Apr

Prescription charges set to rise

The Department for Health and Social Care have confirmed that the prescription charge for England is set to rise from £9.65 to £9.90 per item. This is an increase of 2.59% on last year’s cost. It has been announced that there will be an increase in the cost of prescriptions in England from the 1 […]

News, 05 Apr

Public satisfaction of the NHS at an all-time low

Public satisfaction with the NHS is now at a record low of only 24%, the lowest since the British Social Attitudes Survey began in 1983. In the 40 years since the British Social Attitudes Survey began, the public’s satisfaction levels with NHS services has been assessed in detail. The most recent report from 2023 shows […]

News, 02 Apr

Hypertension – get checked!

Did you know that hypertension (high blood pressure) usually has no signs or symptoms but is the largest known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). People with RA are at a heightened risk of high blood pressure so it will be important to check regularly. It is estimated that 32% of all adults have high […]

News, 27 Mar

Lockdown: 4 years on

Representatives delivering the letter to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. March 2024 marks 4 years since the UK first went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst for many the threat of COVID-19 has subsided, many immunocompromised individuals still fear the consequences. NRAS together with 15 other charities signed a group letter […]

News, 18 Mar

MSK Inequalities: Act Now!

ARMA’s ‘Act Now’ Report on MSK Health Inequalities and Deprivation The Act Now: Musculoskeletal Health Inequalities and Deprivation report from ARMA highlights the impact of social and economic determinants of health on those living with MSK conditions, recognising that people in deprived areas face far greater challenges in managing their MSK conditions and accessing quality […]

News, 15 Mar

Better Bone Health – Fracture Risk

A week after International Women’s Day, NRAS are highlighting the risk of osteoporosis for women and the campaign started by the Royal Osteoporosis Society for better bone health. “Half of women over the age of 50 will suffer fractures because of osteoporosis, and a fifth of men. That’s every other mother, every other grandmother.” It […]

News, 13 Mar

Prescription Charges: Up for debate

For the first time in nearly 2 years, a debate was held in Parliament in response to the petition called to review prescription charges for people with chronic or long-term health conditions. On 11 March 2024, a debate was held in Westminster Hall to discuss a petition relating to prescription charges for people with chronic […]

News, 29 Feb

Martha’s Rule: How does it affect those with RA or JIA?

What is it? Martha’s Rule or ‘Martha’s Law’ is referring to a new patient safety initiative being enacted by NHS England in April 2024. This was announced in February 2024 and is being colloquially called by the media the “right to a second opinion”. The Rule being proposed, but not yet finalised, is to allow […]

News, 26 Feb

ABPI publication: How to make sure patients get faster and fairer access to new medicines

NRAS CEO Clare Jacklin is a member of the ABPI Patient Advisory Council which has produced this report. UK governments and NHS leaders need to start with a holistic view of patient need and improve fair access to the latest medical advances which could help improve patient outcomes, wherever someone lives, and whatever their social […]

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