Essex Rheumatology Trust Objectives
Objective 1
To alleviate pain, suffering, disability and incapacity of people of all age groups suffering with various inflammatory and non-inflammatory rheumatic diseases, osteoporosis and musculoskeletal conditions such as spinal pain and soft tissue problems
Activities
We intend to appoint a rheumatology specialist community nurse who will detect, diagnose and provide advice for these patients. We intend to use our funds to purchase diagnostic equipment and treatments. Development of guidelines to better diagnose and treat these patients
Objective 2
To assist in the education of people suffering with various inflammatory
and non-inflammatory rheumatic diseases, osteoporosis and musculoskeletal
conditions such as spinal pain and soft tissue problems
Activities
We are planning to launch the charity on 4th July 2007 with an open day consisting of poster displays, drop in sessions, open lectures and workshops.
We will continue with a series of lectures across the
county and will develop a web site. We also intend to set up a
mobile
information centre and a help line. There is an established patient
PMR support group which we intend to
support and advertise and develop
patient support groups for the other disease areas.
Objective 3
To assist in research, development and use of new equipment related to the management of patients with such conditions.
We intend to work with other charities including the Essex Disabled
Association, Arthritis Research Council, Arthritis
care and other national
charities to support and develop research studies into these conditions
and develop and research equipment for the diagnosis and management
of this group of people.
Objective 4
To develop the awareness in wider society in wider society of the impact and disability to these related conditions
Activities
Series of open lectures. Development of information booklets and leaflets
to distributed in libraries, doctors surgeries
and other organisations
around the county.
Objective 5
To facilitate and improve the provision of care for people suffering with such conditions
Activities
The Specialist Rheumatology Community nurse will assist with early recognition and expedite referral to specialists. Development of support groups, supporting and developing research on diagnosis and treatments.
Objective 6
To work with other international, national and regional bodies for the implementation of standards of care for people suffering with such conditions
Activities
We intend to collaborate with regional, national and international bodies to research diagnosis and treatments for
people suffering with these conditions so we can publish evidenced based guidelines.
Professor Dasgupta already works in collaboration with the Essex Rheumatology Association, is the convenor for Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) and Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) guidelines with the British Society of Rheumatology
and is a Lead investigator developing research on the diagnosis and management of patients with PMR in conjunction with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)