Postcode healthcare variations ‘must end’

The wide-ranging conditions, which include arthritis and chronic back pain, cost the NHS almost £5bn a year. Yet their treatment and management lacks leadership and consistency, it is claimed.

In a new report the experts call on the Government to introduce a national strategy for MSDs similar to those that exist for heart disease and cancer.

They point out that the amount of NHS money set aside for MSDs varies greatly in England and Wales.

Funding bodies are said to spend £99m per year in Hampshire, but only £41m in Manchester.

Neil Betteridge, chief executive of the charity Arthritis Care, which produced the report, said: “The Government needs to get a grip of musculoskeletal diseases and look at how they can help the millions of people with these debilitating conditions.

“Consecutive European presidencies have highlighted the impact of poorly managed rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases on patients and restricted healthcare budgets.

“Today we see even smaller countries, such as Cyprus, waking up to the seriousness of the problem and taking action. It is completely unjustifiable that the UK Government continue to ignore this serious health problem and we call on them to urgently implement a national strategy.”

MSDs affect more than eight million people in England, including 10,000 children, and encompass around 200 problems affecting muscles, joints and the skeleton.

Examples include rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, chronic back pain, repetitive strain injuries and sports injuries. MSDs account for almost a third of all GP visits.

The report was launched at the 11th annual congress of the European League Against Rheumatism (Eular) in London.

Eular president Professor Paul Emery, a rheumatology expert from the University of Leeds, said: “I’ve had many reports from patients new to my clinic about the varied treatment that they’ve received over the years. People with MSDs deserve the best possible care available. They need to be diagnosed as early as possible to ensure the best outcomes.”

Mr Betteridge added: “A national strategy for MSDs would set out the framework for how musculoskeletal services could be liberated to focus on improving outcomes and controlling costs to ensure that patients receive the services and support they most need.”