In a groundbreaking initiative, the Musculoskeletal (MSK) Outpatient Physiotherapy colleagues within the newly established Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is set to transform patient care by hosting its inaugural Community MSK Better Health Day today. This innovative event, run in collaboration with the Island’s Central and West Primary Care Network (PCN), aims to reduce NHS waiting lists by one-third, offering timely support to those in need of musculoskeletal treatment.
People experiencing neck, back, and foot pain will be able to see clinical specialists and wider community services in a more streamlined way. This first event is expected to treat around 330-360 people on the day and many more in the month, speeding up their recovery, and taking pressure off local GP services and Emergency Departments.
The first Community MSK Better Health Day is taking place at the Riverside Centre, Newport. More than 1000 people who have been referred in the last year and have been waiting for a musculoskeletal (MSK) appointment have been invited to attend this first event. Those that are unable to attend have been offered an alternative appointment. Many of whom will now be seen sooner as the overall list size reduces the wait times.
Katie Clough, Consultant MSK Physiotherapist, at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We understand that access to healthcare is not simple which is why we have chosen to work together with other healthcare partners and services to ensure the time given on the day by patients and staff is streamlined in the most beneficial ways possible.
Co-production will be a large part of our day and beyond, offering people the opportunity to codesign our services, ensuring we meet the needs of the people we serve.
We need to move to support the people of the Isle of Wight, where, when and how they need our MSK expertise.
Thank you to those who have given their time and energy to this project, including the Central & West PCN whom without their funding, technology and staff support this day would not have been possible.”
Sara Hazzard, Assistant Director at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy said:
“No one wants to live with the sort of pain that robs them of the ability to enjoy activities that give life joy and purpose, or forces them to take unwanted time out from a career.Innovations like this Community MSK Better Health Day that can reduce waiting times in a single day and change people's lives need to be properly funded, staffed and protected from cuts or closures so that everyone across the UK can enjoy the benefits felt by people using this service.”
All people attending will start with a clinical conversation to understand how their problem is affecting them and what matters to them most. From there they will be able to choose one to one consultations, treatment and rehabilitation, advice and guidance 1:1 or topic talks, classes, general health checks including annual screens and access to a wide variety of community services.
There are two more Community MSK Better Health Days planned for January and February to help make sure that the remaining people on a waiting list are seen and able to access the treatment and support they need.
Katie Clough, adds:
“Once we have reviewed this model and improved waiting times, we hope to offer similar ongoing events working with local charities and groups to offer easy access to all, regardless of location, affluence, education or cultural background.”