A BASINGSTOKE hospital doctor has helped launch a charity's unique campaign to improve the quality of daily life for those living with arthritis.

UK charity Arthritis Action last week launched a free online self-management learning platform, the first of its kind in the UK, featuring Dr Wendy Holden, a consultant rheumatologist based at Hampshire Hospitals.

The resource, available on the Arthritis Action website, features 16 evidence-based educational videos, broken down into physical and mental aspects of living with arthritis.

Participants will hear directly from a rheumatologist, physiotherapist, osteopath, dietitian, clinical hypnotherapist, and a self-management trainer.

The topics include Diet and Arthritis; Medication and Arthritis; X-rays; Aids and Devices; Positive Thinking; Persistent Pain; and Weight Management.

In her video, Dr Holden explains what arthritis is and sheds some light on medication and arthritis, x-rays, and how to navigate the healthcare system.

Self-management of arthritis refers to a set of approaches that help people living with the condition to manage their own health and improve their daily life.

According to a recent YouGov report examining the impact of arthritis on people of working age, 64 per cent of those surveyed have found self-management techniques to be useful.

Shantel Irwin, chief executive of Arthritis Action, said: “Ten million people in the UK live with arthritis. It is the leading cause of pain and disability nationwide. Our recent research revealed that around three-quarters of people with arthritis worry that they can’t continue to enjoy their usual hobbies, and over half find it very challenging to get around.

"We are therefore very pleased to launch the first online arthritis self-management learning platform in the UK, giving people access to the tools they need to take control of their condition, no matter where they live or how mobile they are. Our resource has also been designed for those leading very busy lives, aiming to empower them to better understand and manage their condition, whilst learning at their own pace and convenience.”

The resource is available for free, without registration, at arthritisaction.org.uk/onlinesme.

For more information about Arthritis Action, go to arthritisaction.org.uk or call 020 3781 7120.