Overhaul of injury service in bid to speed up appointments

A REVAMPED service has been launched in North Yorkshire to help to treat the most prevalent cause of work-related illness in the UK.

Patients suffering from a range of disorders including arthritis, back pain and damage to joints, muscles and tendons are being given faster access to treatment through the overhauled Musculoskeletal (MSK) service.

Musculoskeletal disorders include more than 200 conditions and are the most prevalent cause of work-related illness in the country, affecting twice as many people as stress.

Injuries can be caused while doing any activity that involves some movement of the body, from heavy lifting to typing.

The streamlined MSK service in the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale areas has been implemented by the primary care trust, NHS North Yorkshire and York, and now involves closer links between clinicians in hospitals and those working in the community.

Hospital consultants are working alongside GPs, physiotherapists and podiatrists to speed up assessment and referral of patients. Appointments are usually offered within two weeks of referral.

One patient who has already benefited is 36-year-old Claire Hall, from Sherburn, in Ryedale, who injured one of her knees in an accident at a shop where she works part-time.

The mother-of-one, who is also a dinner lady at Sherburn School, said: “My GP referred me to Malton Hospital where I was seen by a nurse and consultant within three weeks.

“I was delighted to receive my treatment within a month of being referred. The staff at Malton Hospital were fantastic and because I started my treatment so quickly, my physiotherapist says I am making excellent progress.”

Musculoskeletal disorders account for up to a third of all GP consultations and cost the UK economy about 7.4bn a year.

Anne Alder, the service manager at North Yorkshire and York Community and Mental Health Services which runs Malton Hospital, also has responsibility for physiotherapy out patient services.

She said: “Before we introduced the MSK service, patients could wait a number of weeks for a referral before they even started their treatment. Now, it can be a matter of days.”