PSALV are holding their AGM on the 23rd of June from 1pm-3pm, in the Holyrood Room of the Jury's Inn, 43 Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh. It's a short walk from Waverley Train Station to the hotel. Take the rear exit from Waverley, via Market Street, cross the road onto Jeffrey Street and the hotel is 100 yards up on the right hand side. If you are taking the car, the New Street Car Park is located on New Street, behind Waverley Station. Charges apply and are subject to change. Please let us know if you would like to attend.

PSALV will be holding a public information meeting on the 15th September 2012 from 1pm-4pm, in the Caledonian Hotel, Union Terrace, Aberdeen. There will be presentations from Dr A.D. Ormerod, Consultant Dermatologist/Clinical Reader in Dermatology and Dr A. Macdonald, Consultant Rheumatologist, both from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Please note that this is not a drop-in meeting and that places must be booked. To reserve a place, please email janice.johnson5@btinternet.com or call her on 0131 556 4117, or email mairi.maciver@hotmail.co.uk or call her on 01592 200185

Fiona McLeod of the SNP tabled a motion on 23/4/12 to recognise the 3rd international conference on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, which is scheduled to take place in Stockholm from the 27th June to the 1st of July. The conference will bring together leading dermatologists and rheumatologists from around the world, and will be attended by Janice JOhnson, Director of PSALV. You can read the full motion by clicking on the link to Fiona's biography pages here and going to Recent Motions.

This consultation document on the UK Plan for Rare Diseases is in response to the 2009 European Council Recommendation on Rare Diseases. The consultation has been developed jointly by the four nations of the UK. The consultation responses will be used to develop the final UK Plan for Rare Diseases to be published later in 2012. You can read the consultation here

The annual British Society for Rheumatology conference will take place in Glasgow at the SECC on the 1-3 May. The 3 day meeting promotes the latest science, research and treatment in rheumatology, and PSALV will be exhibiting at the conference - we look forward to seeing you there. For more information on the conference, go the the BSR website.

Synexus, the world's largest multinational company dedicated to the successful recruitment and running of clinical studies, is currently recruiting patients in Glasgow for a study which is assessing a new topical ointment treatment which may help ease the symptoms of psoriasis. The study may be suitable for those who are over 18, and who have been diagnosed with psoriasis.

Synexus is currently recruiting patients for this study at its Dedicated Clinical Research Centre in Glasgow. For more information call 0141 2702587 quoting reference code 6560, or visit their website

Janice Johnson, Director of PSALV, was interviewed recently by Sue Gyford of the Edinburgh Evening News. In the interview, Janice talked openly about living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, from her diagnosis as a teenager and then coping with the condition as a young mum and later into adulthood.

The article also provides information on both conditions and some of the treatments available, and details the work of PSALV. You can read the article here 

The International Federation of Psoriasis Associations have developed an overview of IFPA’s strategy for the direction of Under the Spotlight in the coming years, and the themes and overarching messaging for 2012. It also provides guidance on how organisation's national programme can support the Under the Spotlight messaging in 2012. Click here to view the presentation

Watch Dennis Potter's classic drama about the thriller writer Philip Marlow in hospital with the skin complaint psoriasis, tormented by his past and threatened by his future. Available to view here

Scotland's chief medical officer, Sir Harry Burns, has said children aged six months to five years should be taking daily vitamin D drops. He also warned that pregnant women should be taking the vitamin to protect against bone disease and other illnesses, and that people aged 65 and over and those who are not exposed to much sun should also take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms.

Vitamin D is important for healthy bones and teeth and a lack of the vitamin has also been linked by some studies to high rates of multiple sclerosis in Scotland.

You can read more about the story on the BBC website

The International Federation of Psoriasis Associations have announced that the winner of the 2011 Under the Spotlight Award is Celia Marin Rancel of Murcia in Spain.
Under the Spotlight is a unique series of documentaries which aims to demonstrate first-hand how the burden of psoriasis can impact a person’s life and how this may accumulate over time. Janice Johnson, the Director of PSALV, took part in the filming last year, documenting the affects that psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have had on her life.
You can read more about Under the Spotlight here

A lack of vitamin D is causing an increase in the incidence of rickets in the UK, with a steep rise in the number of cases reported over the last 15 years. This disease had almost died out in the UK by the 1940's but has now returned, and health campaigners are concerned that there will also be an increase in related diseases. You can read more about the story on the BBC website here 

The Scottish Government has published the Chief Medical Officer's Annual Report for 2010, continuing with the theme of the creation of health as well as the burden of disease, which follows last year's report. The full report can be accessed on the Scottish Government's website here

Measures to combat the abuse of disabled parking and the Blue Badge scheme have been announced in Scotland and England. New badges will have added security features and the method to determine people's eligibility is being improved. You can read more about this story on the BBC website.