Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases
Supporting arthritis research, education & patient engagement
Welcome
Welcome
The Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases (BIRD), a registered charity, exists to support arthritis research, education and patient engagement so that we can improve treatment for patients with rheumatic diseases.
Rheumatology is the study and treatment of arthritis, including a number of autoimmune diseases, pain disorders affecting bones, joints, soft tissue and tendons. There are more than 200 types of rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic sclerosis, lupus (SLE), Raynaud’s, vasculitis, osteoarthritis, gout, back pain, osteoporosis and tendinitis.
People of any age are affected, including children, but patient numbers are increasing with the number of older people in the population. These diseases are the cause of great pain and suffering and one of the main causes of disability in Britain.
Research Funding
We make ‘pump priming’ grants to support research in the field of bone and joint diseases and fund the training of PhD students, clinical research fellows and post-doctoral research assistants.
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Professional Education
We provide free educational and professional development opportunities, such as conferences and courses on the impact of bone and joint diseases for healthcare professionals.
Upcoming Events
Patient Engagement
We run a programme of Patient and Public Engagement which supports patients, their families and carers with the latest information in their diseases areas and involves them in research.
Read MoreLatest News
'Highly Commended' for Mel Brooke, BIRD in local awards
17 November 2023
At BIRD we are very happy to share and celebrate Melanie (Brooke) Turfrey, BIRD Patient and Public Engagement Director, receiving ‘Highly Commended’ in the Bath & North East Somerset Community Leader Award category. Mel has made an outstanding difference to the lives of patients with rheumatic diseases in Bath, NE Somerset and West Wiltshire (also around the UK) through her role as Patient and Public Engagement Director at Bath Institute ...
New 'Persistent Pain' podcasts published
13 November 2023
In two podcasts Mel Brooke talks about pain with Dr Ben Davies, Advanced Physiotherapist Practitioner, RNHRD. Topics range from understanding the history of how pain is viewed, to discussing how to still be ‘you’ when coping with long term pain with rheumatology conditions.
Help Support BIRD by making a contribution
Our work is built on the kind donations and bequests of previous generations. If you like what we do and would like to help, please consider giving us a donation, or a gift in memory of someone dear to you, inscribed on our benefactors’ board, or even a legacy. £100 would provide refreshments all year for a monthly patient support group meeting. £1000 would cover the print and postage costs for a patient information day and newsletter. £2000 would pay for a Summer Studentship for a scientific researcher. £10,000 would fund a small-scale pilot research project.
Support Us
Our work is built on the kind donations and bequests of previous generations. If you like what we do and would like to help, please consider giving us a donation, or a gift in memory of someone dear to you, inscribed on our benefactors’ board, or even a legacy. £100 would provide refreshments all year for a monthly patient support group meeting. £1000 would cover the print and postage costs for a patient information day and newsletter. £2000 would pay for a Summer Studentship for a scientific researcher. £10,000 would fund a small-scale pilot research project.