Waiting and travelling time to be cut for physiotherapy patients

A SHAKE-UP of physiotherapy services in Sheffield will cut waiting times and enable patients to secure appointments closer to home, according to NHS bosses.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Feb 2010, 23:00 BST
Updated 2nd Feb 2010, 23:00 BST

NHS Sheffield has announced a multi-million pound contract to deliver an improved community physiotherapy service across the city from Saturday, May 1.

Previously, physiotherapy services were provided by a range of organisations across Sheffield.

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But now, they will be dealt with only by Sheffield Primary Care Trust Provider Services and the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.

A spokesman for NHS Sheffield said: "The move comes after GPs and other healthcare professionals told NHS Sheffield that they wanted their patients to receive improved community physiotherapy services – which were previously offered by different providers in different parts of the city, meaning patients received varying levels of service and differing waiting times."

The service will cover musculoskeletal physiotherapy and offer a range of treatment to restore movement and reduce pain, including pain management programmes, acupuncture, ultrasound, exercise treatment, manipulation and access to a gym and swimming pool.

Patients will be able to choose to be seen in a range of locations, including GP surgeries.

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Simon Kirk, director of strategy at NHS Sheffield, said: "It is estimated that up to 30 per cent of all GP consultations are about musculoskeletal conditions and that up to 60 per cent of people who are on long term sick leave cite musculoskeletal problems as the reason, so it is incredibly important to the city that the service that patients receive is of the highest quality.

"We've undertaken a thorough process to ensure that the new providers will deliver exactly what patients and GPs have told us is needed in the city to offer the best possible care, and we're confident that Sheffield Primary Care Trust Provider Services and the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust are the best people for the job.

"Redesigning services so that they meet the needs of people across the city is not a simple process and we are grateful to the people involved in making the improved service possible."

Related topics:NHS