Arthritis Research UK survey on the impact of Personal Health Budgets

Arthritis Research UK are asking for people with musculoskeletal conditions, including Fibro, to complete a survey to help them with a project working to understand the potential impact of Personal Health Budgets on people with musculoskeletal conditions.

A personal health budget aims to allow people to have more choice, flexibility and control over the health services and care they receive. At the heart of a personal health budget is a care plan, the agreement between the primary care trust and the individual that sets out the person’s health needs, the amount of money available to meet those needs and how this money will be spent. The initiative, which has already been introduced for social care, is being trialled at 61 sites, 20 of which are described as “in depth” pilots. Invitation to join the trial was launched in 2009. About 1,500 patients, most with long term conditions, have so far been recruited. As musculoskeletal conditions have not been specifically considered in the piloting, Arthritis Research UK will use this survey to identify the issues raised by people with arthritis or musculoskeletal conditions as one way to bring their needs to the attention of the Department of Health.

The survey is available online at:

www.arthritisresearchuk.org/personalbudgets

FibroAction have been asked to publicise the survey as FibroAction is a member of ARMA, the Arthritis & Musculoskeletal Alliance.