Listen or watch along as we discuss Soft Tissue Problems in Arthritis.

In this episode, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Dr Will Tillett, Consultant Rheumatologist & Head of Rheumatology  at the RNHRD,  RUH Bath.. We explore soft tissue problems — the tendons, muscles and ligaments and other structures that sit around the joint rather than inside it. We also discuss how these problems are diagnosed and when diagnostic imaging techniques like ultrasound or MRI might help.

Useful Links:

www.arthritis-uk.org

BIRD Podcasts

Connect further with us:

Have questions or thoughts about our information Podcast library?  Interested in joining BIRDs patient research panel? 

Email Mel at  ⁠[email protected]⁠

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue sharing information that matters!

The Patient and Public Engagement Programme has been supported by hands-off sponsorships from Eli Lilly and Company Limited, UCB and Amgen -all of whom have provided grant funding but who have were not involved in the development, content or editorial control of this podcast, nor the subsequent review and approval of these materials or general running of the patient and public engagement programme.

We would also like to thank The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Cumber Family Charitable Trust, Medlock Charitable Trust, The Ray Harris Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund.

Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.

Please visit the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIRD website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for news at ⁠www.birdbath.org.uk

Listen or watch along as we talk about Psychological support service at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD), Bath UK.

In this episode, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Dr Natalie Slay, Specialist Clinical Psychologist  at the RNHRD,  RUH Bath about the emotional and psychological side of living with rheumatic disease. We explore how diagnosis affects identity, why stress and overwhelm are so common, and how simple tools like self-compassion and the “stress bucket” can help people understand their mental load and find steadier ways to cope.

Useful Links:

Wren Project

NHS Every Mind matters

Talking Therapies (NHS)

5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing (NHS)

Other resources mentioned:

⁠Stress bucket⁠

⁠Resource pack⁠

⁠Explaining threat-drive-soothe⁠

 I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest with You” a book by Miranda Hart  - (available in book stores)

Paul Gilbert and the Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) - (you can search for this

on the internet)

Connect further with us:

Have questions or thoughts about our information Podcast library?  Interested in joining BIRDs patient research panel? 

Email Mel at  [email protected]

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue sharing information that matters!

The Patient and Public Engagement Programme has been supported by hands-off sponsorships from Eli Lilly and Company Limited, UCB and Amgen -all of whom have provided grant funding but who have were not involved in the development, content or editorial control of this podcast, nor the subsequent review and approval of these materials or general running of the patient and public engagement programme.

We would also like to thank The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Cumber Family Charitable Trust, Medlock Charitable Trust, The Ray Harris Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund.

Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.

Please visit the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIRD website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for news at www.birdbath.org.uk

Listen or watch along as we explore the changes in Vasculitis treatments since our first series in 2020.

In this episode, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Dr Sarah Skeoch, Consultant Rheumatologist at the RNHRD, RUH Bath about new guidelines and changes in ANCAVasculitis.  We learn how, in the past few years, new treatments have arrived, how steroid use has been re-thought and because there is a lot of new information, we’ll focus more specifically on ANCA-associated vasculitis in this episode and how newer medications are helping to reshape care.  

We are planning to come back and cover Giant Cell Arteritis and other types of Vasculitis in Spring when more new guidelines are due out.

Useful Links:

⁠ The Voices Study:

https://www.vasculitisint.com/voices/

The New Vasculitis Guidelines:

https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/64/8/4470/8160140

UK Vasculitis:

https://www.vasculitis.org.uk

UKIVAS (Registry Study)

https://ukivas.ndorms.ox.ac.uk

⁠Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, RUH Bath⁠

Connect further with us:

Have questions or thoughts about our information Podcast library?  Interested in joining BIRDs patient research panel? 

Email Mel at  [email protected]

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue sharing information that matters!

The Patient and Public Engagement Programme has been supported by hands-off sponsorships from Eli Lilly and Company Limited, UCB and Amgen -all of whom have provided grant funding but who have were not involved in the development, content or editorial control of this podcast, nor the subsequent review and approval of these materials or general running of the patient and public engagement programme.

We would also like to thank The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Cumber Family Charitable Trust, Medlock Charitable Trust, The Ray Harris Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund.

Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.

Please visit the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIRD website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for news.

Listen or watch along as we dive into updates on axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) treatments and 'The 2025 British Society for Rheumatology guideline  for treatment of  axial Spondyloarthritis with biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs'.

In this episode, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Professor Raj Sengupta, Consultant rheumatologist  and Lead Consultant for Axial Spondyloarthritis at the RNHRD, RUH Bath about changes to axSpA treatments since our first series in 2020.

Useful Links:

⁠BSR Guideline⁠

⁠⁠National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society⁠⁠

⁠Inhealthcare  ⁠

Connect further with us:

Have questions or thoughts about our information Podcast library?  Interested in joining BIRDs patient research panel? 

Email Mel at  [email protected]

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue sharing information that matters!

The Patient and Public Engagement Programme has been supported by hands-off sponsorships from Eli Lilly and Company Limited, UCB and Amgen -all of whom have provided grant funding but who have were not involved in the development, content or editorial control of this podcast, nor the subsequent review and approval of these materials or general running of the patient and public engagement programme.

We would also like to thank The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Cumber Family Charitable Trust, Medlock Charitable Trust, The Ray Harris Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund.

Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.

Please visit the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIRD website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for news.

Listen or watch along as we dive into updates on axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) treatments and 'The 2025 British Society for Rheumatology guideline  for treatment of  axial Spondyloarthritis with biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs'.

In this episode, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Professor Raj Sengupta, Consultant rheumatologist  and Lead Consultant for Axial Spondyloarthritis at the RNHRD, RUH Bath about changes to axSpA treatments since our first series in 2020.

Useful Links:

BSR Guideline

⁠National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society⁠

Inhealthcare  

Connect further with us:

Have questions or thoughts about our information Podcast library?  Interested in joining BIRDs patient research panel? 

Email Mel at  [email protected]

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue sharing information that matters!

The Patient and Public Engagement Programme has been supported by hands-off sponsorships from Eli Lilly and Company Limited, UCB and Amgen -all of whom have provided grant funding but who have were not involved in the development, content or editorial control of this podcast, nor the subsequent review and approval of these materials or general running of the patient and public engagement programme.

We would also like to thank The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Cumber Family Charitable Trust, Medlock Charitable Trust, The Ray Harris Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund.

Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.

Please visit the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIRD website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for news.

Listen or watch along as we dive into the changing landscape of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) diagnosis.

In this episode, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Dr Tom Williams, Consultant rheumatologist and Education Lead at the RNHRD, RUH Bath about changes to the axSpA diagnosis process since our first series in 2020.

From persistent delays and the different experiences of women, to new tools like the NASS Playbook, PRIMIS pop-up, and Symptom Checker, we look at what’s helping clinicians and patients. We also touch on non-radiographic axSpA, the growing role of MRI, blood markers, and how to approach cases that aren’t clear-cut — before rounding off with some patient questions. 

Useful Links:

National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society

Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, RUH Bath

Connect further with us:

Have questions or thoughts about our information Podcast library?  Interested in joining BIRDs patient research panel? 

Email Mel at  [email protected]

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue sharing information that matters!

The Patient and Public Engagement Programme has been supported by hands-off sponsorships from Eli Lilly and Company Limited, UCB and Amgen -all of whom have provided grant funding but who have were not involved in the development, content or editorial control of this podcast, nor the subsequent review and approval of these materials or general running of the patient and public engagement programme.

We would also like to thank The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Cumber Family Charitable Trust, Medlock Charitable Trust, The Ray Harris Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund.

Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.

Please visit the⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIRD website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for news.

In this episode, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Dr. Victoria Flower  about Gastrointestinal (GI) issues in Systemic Sclerosis

This episode is part two of a two part series. This time we focus on the Lower GI talking about the movement of food through the lower GI tract and common issues one might experience such as  a sluggish bowel and bacterial overgrowth and symptoms like bloating and diarrhea. Vicky also talks us through treatment and self-management options, including dietary adjustments.

Useful Links:

Dysphagia (swallowing problems) - NHS

Heartburn and acid reflux - NHS

How to help a weak bladder - NHS

Gastrointestinal Tract Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) | SRUK

Connect further with us:

Have questions or thoughts about our information Podcast library?  Interested in joining BIRDs patient research panel? 

Email Mel at  [email protected]

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue sharing information that matters!

The Patient and Public Engagement Programme is supported by hands-off sponsorships from Eli Lilly and Company Limited, UCB and Amgen -all of whom have provided grant funding but who have were not involved in the development, content or editorial control of this podcast, nor the subsequent review and approval of these materials or general running of the patient and public engagement programme.

We would also like to thank The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Cumber Family Charitable Trust, Medlock Charitable Trust, The Ray Harris Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund.

Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.

Please visit the⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIRD website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for news.

In this episode, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Dr. Victoria Flower  about Gastrointestinal (GI) issues in Systemic Sclerosis

This episode is part one of a two part series, with this first episode focussing on Upper GI issues and part two the Lower GI tract. We begin with a brief introduction around the whole  topic and run through issues such as reflux, difficulty swallowing, and similar symptoms that someone with Systemic Sclerosis might experience. Vicky then talks about treatment options and self-management approaches.

Useful Links:

⁠Dysphagia (swallowing problems) - NHS

Heartburn and acid reflux - NHS

Connect further with us:

Have questions or thoughts about our information Podcast library?  Interested in joining BIRDs patient research panel? 

Email Mel at  [email protected]

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue sharing information that matters!

The Patient and Public Engagement Programme is supported by hands-off sponsorships from Eli Lilly and Company Limited, UCB and Amgen -all of whom have provided grant funding but who have were not involved in the development, content or editorial control of this podcast, nor the subsequent review and approval of these materials or general running of the patient and public engagement programme.

We would also like to thank The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Cumber Family Charitable Trust, Medlock Charitable Trust, The Ray Harris Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund.

Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.

Please visit the⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIRD website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for news.

In this episode, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Dr. Andrew Allard about Palindromic Arthritis. Andrew explains what Palindromic Arthritis is and when the term used. He talks about symptoms, treatments and a longer term outlook for people who have may have received this diagnosis. 

Dr Allard is a Consultant Rheumatologist at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, RUH Bath, the Lead Consultant for the Rheumatoid Arthritis service and Principle Investigator on Clinical Trials and Studies related to Rheumatoid Arthritis. He also runs subspecialty clinics in Early Inflammatory Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis, a weekly musculoskeletal ultrasound list and has an interest in immunotherapy-induced rheumatic disease. 

Useful Links:

Versus Arthritis

Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases Podcasts 

Connect with Us:

Have questions or thoughts about our information Podcast library?  Interested in joining BIRDs patient research panel? 

Email Mel at  [email protected]

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue sharing information that matters!

The Patient and Public Engagement Programme is supported by hands-off sponsorships from Eli Lilly and Company Limited, UCB and Amgen -all of whom have provided grant funding but who have were not involved in the development, content or editorial control of this podcast, nor the subsequent review and approval of these materials or general running of the patient and public engagement programme.

We would also like to thank The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Cumber Family Charitable Trust, Medlock Charitable Trust, The Ray Harris Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund.

Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.

Please visit the⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIRD website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for news.

In this episode, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Dr. Jo Daniels about Raynaud’s.  Jo, a clinical psychologist, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology and academic from the University of Bath,  shares key findings from her research and discusses the psychophysiology of Raynaud’s - how stress and anxiety can trigger symptoms. She also shares some practical tips for living with and self-managing Raynaud’s symptoms, from ways of keeping warm to reducing stress with simple breathing techniques and the importance of having self-compassion.

Useful Links:

• SRUK (Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK)
• BIRDs podcast library (Raynauds, Persistent Pain and more)
• Jo also mentioned: Christopher Eccleston’s book, 'Embodied' which Explores the interplay of mind and body in health conditions, including a chapter on Raynaud’s.

Connect with Us:

• Have questions or thoughts about Raynaud’s? 
• Interested in joining BIRDs patient research panel? 

Email Mel at  [email protected]

Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us continue sharing information that matters!

The Patient and Public Engagement Programme is supported by hands-off sponsorships from Eli Lilly and Company Limited, UCB and Amgen -all of whom have provided grant funding but who have were not involved in the development, content or editorial control of this podcast, nor the subsequent review and approval of these materials or general running of the patient and public engagement programme.

We would also like to thank The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Cumber Family Charitable Trust, Medlock Charitable Trust, The Ray Harris Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund.

Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.

Please visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIRD website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for news.

In the second episode of this two-part series, podcast host Mel Brooke, BIRDs Patient and Public Engagement Programme talks with Christopher Joyce, Extended Scope Podiatrist (MSK and Rheumatology), Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, London.  Episode two focusses on Midfoot (arch area)  and the Rearfoot (ankle) and questions sent in by BIRDs patient audience.

If you can please rate our podcasts on your listening platform.

Useful Links:

HCPC check the register

RCOP “find a podiatrist”

(and don’t forget you can ask your GP or a member of your rheumatology team for advice)

The Patient and Public Engagement Programme is supported by hands-off sponsorships from Eli Lilly and Company Limited, UCB and Amgen -all of whom have provided grant funding but who have were not involved in the development, content or editorial control of this podcast, nor the subsequent review and approval of these materials or general running of the patient and public engagement programme.

We would also like to thank The Arnold Clark Community Fund, The Cumber Family Charitable Trust, Medlock Charitable Trust, The Ray Harris Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund.

Thank you to all our sponsors for helping us to bring you information that supports you and helps to increase your knowledge of rheumatic diseases.

Please visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIRD website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more podcasts.