ROS joins the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA)

Today, the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) has announced it has joined the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA), which is the collective voice for charities and other patient organisations working in the musculoskeletal (MSK) arena.

The news comes as the ROS continues to increase its voice in public policy, following the launch of the Osteoporosis and Bone Health All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in Westminster, and a recent meeting with the Health Minister, Helen Whately MP.

Chief Executive of the ROS, Craig Jones, said:

“The pandemic has shown the need for health charities to work together. This new phase for the ROS will have at its heart the need to be more outward-looking, collaborative and partnership-minded. As part of that drive, we’re proud to join ARMA, which has provided a strong collective voice for MSK charities for many years.

"We’re part way through a policy and advocacy programme which aims to dramatically raise the profile of osteoporosis and bone health across the Parliaments and Assemblies of the UK. Charities represented by ARMA have much in common: figures show that MSK conditions account for 9% of the health burden, but a mere 3% of research spend. We’re looking forward to working with our partners to ensure people who live with MSK conditions have a strong voice which is heard clearly”.

Chief Executive of ARMA, Sue Brown, said:

“I am delighted to welcome ROS to ARMA membership. People with long term conditions like osteoporosis need support from many different healthcare professionals and from voluntary organisations such as ROS. By bringing together all the professional and patient stakeholders ARMA has a powerful voice to improve services.”