On 24th November 2025, local charity Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases (BIRD) held a celebration of its 50th anniversary year to thank patients, consultants, researchers, supporters, staff and volunteers for their contribution to the work of the charity.

Around 40 guests attended a reception hosted by The Gainsborough Hotel in Bath. During the speeches, the charity’s Chair of Trustees, Professor Bernie Morley, announced that BIRD is funding £160,000 towards three new academic research roles working between the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) and the University of Bath.

This is the highest level of funding awarded by the charity throughout its 50 years.

The three roles, funded over three years, include an Academic Clinical Fellowship, awarded to Dr Christine MacFayden, for research on the impact of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) on pregnancy and perinatal health outcomes. This type of post combines academic and clinical training and is also supported by the National Institute for Health Research.

Secondly, a PhD Studentship was awarded to Dr James Kimpton, Senior Rheumatology Registrar at the Royal United Hospitals, Bath (RUH) for an exciting project to improve use of advanced therapies for people living with Psoriatic Arthritis.

Finally, Dr Shahd Al-Arkee was also appointed as Database Manager, to manage and facilitate clinical and academic researchers’ access to research databases, and is located at the University of Bath.

During 2025, Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases has marked its 50th anniversary by hosting a series of new events and wellbeing activities aimed at patients and their families, professionals and researchers. Events and activities included: Professor Tim Spector’s talk on eating well at the Forum in Bath; two seated dance events for those with chronic pain; a creative writing workshop for patients to write about their experiences of coping with pain; a new website; patient information films, podcasts and webinars.

This year, BIRD also supported health care professionals from the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases by funding extra bursaries for them to travel to conferences and education programmes to help improve their knowledge and care for patients.

Commenting on BIRD’s 50th Anniversary, Professor Emeritus Bernie Morley, BIRD’s Chair of Trustees said: “BIRD was formed fifty years ago to create a bridge between the clinicians working at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases and academic researchers at the University of Bath.

"Since then, the charity has contributed funding for the study of rheumatic diseases and the support of many thousands of patients who have benefitted from their research and from the training of clinicians and healthcare professionals.

"In 2025, BIRD’s innovative patient engagement activity provides information on treatments and lifestyle advice to people living with a rheumatic condition.

"I am proud of all that our charity has achieved in the last fifty years, not least that in our 50th year we have made out biggest ever funding investment in three academic appointments.

"Without BIRD’s funding contribution, these roles would not have been possible. Thank you to the team at BIRD, RNHRD and to all our supporters for helping us deliver the charity’s contribution to rheumatic diseases research.”

Dr Christine MacFayden, rheumatology specialty trainee and Academic Clinical Fellow at Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases said: “Thanks to funding support from BIRD, I have been able to access dedicated research funds to develop my own research questions and design studies to address them.

"My research will investigate how pregnancy and perinatal health outcomes of UK mothers with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE), and their babies, compare with the general population.

"Without BIRD’s funding support this important research would be hard to balance alongside full-time clinical work, therefore it has been instrumental to my academic development.”

Celia Mead, Executive Director at Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases said: “We are grateful for the support of RNHRD patients, consultants, and of course our staff and volunteers over the last 50 years.

"The team at BIRD are proud of our educational and wellbeing activities in our 50th anniversary year as well as our investment in research roles and bursaries for healthcare professionals.

"Arthritis affects one in six people in the UK and can affect their ability to work, move freely or live independently so we will continue to help patients deepen their understanding of their rheumatic disease by sharing the latest research and treatments available.”

Established in 1975, the Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases supports arthritis research, education and patient engagement and works alongside the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) in Bath to improve the lives of people with arthritis and related conditions.

BIRD’s engagement initiatives work with patients to help them understand their condition, involve them in research studies and increase their confidence to self-manage and live well with a rheumatic disease such as arthritis.

To subscribe to BIRD’s patient information services or newsletter, take part in research or donate visit the BIRD website.