The ACI Musculoskeletal Network brings together clinicians, health managers and consumers to review, design and implement new ways to improve the healthcare experiences and outcomes for people with musculoskeletal conditions in NSW.
Musculoskeletal conditions are a group of chronic diseases that include arthritis and osteoporosis.
Our people
The network is led by clinical co-chairs from diverse specialities, including allied health, rheumatology and orthopaedic care.
Matthew Jennings
Co-Chair
Director of Allied Health
Liverpool Hospital
South Western Sydney Local Health District
Chris Needs
Co-Chair
Rheumatologist
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Sydney Local Health District
Ian Harris
Co-Chair
Professor, Orthopaedics
Liverpool Hospital
South Western Sydney Local Health District
The Musculoskeletal Network has more than 600 members who contribute their expertise and insights to key initiatives. Members also benefit from opportunities to collaborate, network and access best practice support.
Network members include doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, consumers, researchers, managers and policy makers.
The network works collaboratively with a wide range of government, non-government, education and research organisations.
Key initiatives
- Leading Better Value Care – Our Osteoarthritis Chronic Care Program and Osteoporotic Refracture Prevention are key initiatives in the LBVC program
- Virtual exercise prescription using software to enable exercise assessment, prescription, education and monitoring in a virtual care environment.
Why musculoskeletal conditions matter
In 2011, musculoskeletal conditions were the fourth leading contributor to total burden of disease in Australia. Back pain, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis were the greatest contributors to the musculoskeletal burden. 1
In 2017–18, 29% of Australians reported having arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions, representing about 7 million people. 2
In 2019, musculoskeletal conditions were estimated to be the leading cause of years lived with disability in Australia (20.1%). 3
Join the Musculoskeletal Network
We welcome clinicians and health consumers to join the network to share your knowledge, experience and perspective.
Our network fosters a collaborative culture and values equity of voice for all members.
Contact us
1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The burden of musculoskeletal conditions in Australia: a detailed analysis of the Australian Burden of Disease Study 2011 [internet]. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2017 [cited 16 June 2022]
2 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Chronic musculoskeletal conditions [internet]. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2022 [cited 16 Jun 2022].
3. de Luca K, Briggs AM, French SD, et al. Disability burden due to musculoskeletal conditions and low back pain in Australia: findings from GBD 2019. Chiropr Man Therap. 2022;30(22). DOI: 10.1186/s12998-022-00434-4