Patients given faster treatment for workplace ailments

Sufferers of joint and muscle problems are now being assessed and referred for treatment within a fortnight because hospital consultants are working alongside GPs, physiotherapists and other specialists.

The NHS North Yorkshire and York head of planned care, Jane Baxter, said: "We've been able to improve our service to patients by joining up clinicians working in hospitals and those working in community settings.

"Overall this is a much more convenient system for patients, who are receiving assessment and treatment much quicker – which in turn means they are recovering quicker."

Conditions known as musculoskeletal disorders include more than 200 ailments such as arthritis, back pain and damage to joints, muscles and tendons.

They are by far the most prevalent cause of work-related illness in the UK, affecting twice as many people as stress.

They result in 9.5million lost working days, costing the UK economy more than 7bn a year.

Patients with severe problems could be referred for surgery whilst more routine problems might require help from a physiotherapist, podiatrist or need further investigations.

Sufferer Claire Hall, 36, from Sherburn, visited her GP last year after hurting her knee and was referred to Malton Hospital where she was seen by a consultant within three weeks.

She said: "I was delighted to receive my treatment within a month of being referred. Because I started my treatment so quickly, my physiotherapist says I am making excellent progress."

Sufferers can visit at clinics in Scarborough, Whitby and Malton. Service manager Anne Alder said: "Before we introduced the service, patients could wait weeks for a referral before they even started treatment. Now, it can be a matter of days."