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Newcastle's world leading arthritis specialists celebrate World Arthritis Day
Arthritis specialists in Newcastle are looking forward to supporting World Arthritis Day on 12th October 2008 with colleagues from the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) with the aim of raising awareness about arthritis and rheumatism. In particular they want to let people know how they can get the very best care and treatment right here in Newcastle at one of the UK’s leading Rheumatology Departments based at the Freeman Hospital and receive tremendous help and support from members of Tyneside’s local branch of the NRAS. The theme for this year’s World Arthritis Day is ‘Think Positive’ acknowledging that living with arthritis can often get people down but highlighting that there are many ways that people can feel better in themselves and get more from life.
This year has been particularly exciting for our Rheumatology Department – not only is one of our eminent Professors leading the way internationally with the development of a new vaccine for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, but he is also one of this year’s NRAS Annual Healthcare Champions award winners – the 3rd of our very own specialists here at Freeman Hospital to have won this prestigious, national award in 3 years!
Each year NRAS members are invited to nominate an individual or a team of healthcare professionals, who have really made a difference to their personal rheumatoid arthritis journey by going above and beyond the call of duty. It is through these awards that NRAS offer members the opportunity to say a very public “thank you” and well done to those who have cared for them and to celebrate the wonderful work they do, day to day. And the winners are:
Dr Lesley Kay, Consultant Rheumatologist and Sister Gill Wilson, nurse specialist – Winners in 2006
Professor John Isaacs, Consultant Rheumatologist – Winner in 2008
This year’s award was presented in the House of Commons in June 2008.
World leading research into new treatments
Freeman Hospital, in partnership with Newcastle University’s Musculoskeletal Research Group, is a national leader in the field of arthritis, and one of our consultants will soon commence a pilot study with 8 volunteers to test a new vaccine, developed here in Newcastle, for patients with rheumatoid arthritis which could signal a major breakthrough in treating this debilitating condition. John Isaacs, Professor of Clinical Rheumatology at Newcastle University’s Musculoskeletal Research Group, who is leading the team, said that although the work was in a very early, experimental stage it was “hugely exciting” and if successful, could signal a major breakthrough in treating rheumatoid arthritis. (To find out more visit: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/press.release/content.phtml?ref=1218537717 )
In 2009 Professor Isaacs’ team will be conducting a ‘first-into-man’ study of this vaccine, which is generated from patients’ own white blood cells. This will test the concept that an arthritic immune system can be ‘re-educated’ to stop attacking the joints.
“This is just one of many internationally acclaimed research projects being co-ordinated in Newcastle. Others include a UK-wide study of the genes that predispose to osteoarthritis (which could ultimately lead to new treatments); methods to improve the life-span of artificial joints; the use of stem cells to treat severe arthritic illnesses; and the development of teaching materials used by every medical student in the UK and, increasingly, overseas to help them assess patients with rheumatic disease."
Vital support from the North East’s branch of the NRAS
Eleanor Houliston, an arthritis patient herself is Chairwoman of the NRAS’s North East Volunteer Support Group which with the help and cooperation of the Freeman's rheumatology department tries to reach out to all people with rheumatoid arthritis to help and support them, to educate the about the condition and how best to manage it so that they can improve their quality of life.
The group organises a series of speakers on various topics related to the management of inflammatory arthritis and meetings are always well attended. They also hold a number of social and fund raising events including a Pie and Peas Summer on National Arthritis Day which are great fun.
The next meeting is scheduled for 13th October 2008 at the Royal Grammar School where Alice Peterson (NRAS Volunteer/Trustee and author of “A Will to Win”) and Dr Lesley Kay (Consultant Rheumatologist at the Freeman Hospital) will be presenting from 4pm to 6pm. All people with inflammatory arthritis, carers, family members and clinicians are warmly invited to attend.
Did you know?...
that free swimming lessons are available for people with arthritis at Gosforth Pool on Regent Farm Road in Gosforth every Monday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 am? Or that Tai Chi lessons are held every Friday morning at 10:15am specifically for people with arthritis, at Age Concern, MEA House on Ellison Plan in Newcastle?
To find out more about these and other activities available contact Eleanor on 07521 762 387, email eleanorjoe@blueyonder.co.uk or visit http://www.rheumatoid.org.uk/article.php?article_id=463
