MSK Core skills – ‘Practice Based Learning’ in Northern Ireland

In the last quarter of 2025, we were delighted to embark on a number of commissions with GP Federations in Northern Ireland (NI). There are 17 GP Federations across NI, each covering 100,000 patients with 17 practices.

Two of the key components of GP Federations are 1) to provide continuing professional development for GPs and 2) to assist in the recruitment and retention of GPs. Our Musculoskeletal (MSK) Core Skills package is ideally placed to support both of these elements, in conjunction with our overall patient offer, with their ultimate aim being to provide better care in collaboration with the community.

As part of our health professional engagement in NI, we work closely with professionals in all areas of MSK care to understand the needs of clinicians, and of course, how this impacts patients and how our offer can meet and be tailored to the needs of both.

Integrating MSK learning into practice based learning

This came to fruition across 3 GP Federation areas using a common tool – Practice Based Learning afternoons to integrate courses seamlessly with pre-existing time out of practice.

Southern GP Federation Support Unit identified the value of our ‘Is it Inflammatory joint disease or Fibromyalgia?’ short course in meeting their Practice Based Learning (PBL) aims of sessions being directly and immediately applicable, and impactful on consultations. We were delighted to collaborate with them to design a session which also integrated the area’s Clinical Rheumatology Lead in demystifying the referrals when patients are referred from primary care, and what does and does not work well in this process. This was a really engaging session that benefitted both the attendees and the secondary care representatives in mutual understanding and opening conversations for the ultimate benefit of patients.

Causeway GP Federation’s Practice Based Pharmacy leads collaborated with us to tailor our ‘Managing Chronic Pain in Practice’ short course to meet their aim to support MDT Opioid deprescribing work. This session was paired with a powerful ‘Patient Voice’ input on a real experience of coming off opioid medications, an overview of Arthritis UK resources and services, workshop on how the MDT would implement, and crucially, we had worked with our patient self-management training team to set up a follow on course for patients who would be engaging in the deprescribing process, creating a tangible onward referral option for professionals leading this work.

Responding to local needs through tailored MSK education

North and West Belfast GP Federations’ GP education lead also recognised the value of additional MSK training as part of their Practice Based Learning – this had come about from a valuable ‘Patient Voice’ session they had attended, highlighting the holistic impact of living with an MSK condition, and the need for health and care professionals to be able to have the diagnostic, treatment and management conversation with their patients to create better outcomes for both. Again, our ‘Managing Chronic Pain in Practice’ short course was adapted to fit this busy afternoon and created really valuable ‘Q&A’ on the challenges and implementation in practices.

North and West Belfast feedback

Causeway feedback

Craigavon feedback

“I feel more empowered to help patients reduce their analgesia as the evidence shows they don't work. I will also be able to signpost patients to arthritis UK and other members of the MDT”

“Excellent delivery by all facilitators , thank you found the training very beneficial – Causeway session”

“Information was valuable and relevant to my case load”

If you are interested in discussing something similar in your area, or have any queries in general about accessing MSK Core Skills in NI, contact Anna Lyons (Professional Engagement Manager) a.lyons@arthritis-uk.org.