Home › Service directory › Community musculoskeletal service
Community musculoskeletal service
Page last updated on:
About the service
The community musculoskeletal service (MSK) aims to provide a specialist triage and assessment service for MSK referrals in Barnsley. The service aims to provide the best options for care, ensuring patients are seen by the most appropriate healthcare professional, at the appropriate time and in the appropriate place.
The service provides a high-quality service for adults over the age of 16 who have a spinal, peripheral joint, soft tissue or neuromuscular problem. Children of school age are seen by the children’s therapy services.
The service brings together the previous MSK screening service, MSK assessment and treatment service and musculoskeletal physiotherapy service into one holistic service.
Patients referred to the community MSK service will be assessed by extended scope practitioners, physiotherapists or GPs with a special interest in MSK problems. They will provide advice and, where necessary, investigations to help with diagnosis and management planning. Referrals to either secondary care providers or other primary care therapy services can be made directly from this service. Initial consultations are offered by telephone or in person.
Further treatment by the service may include a variety of techniques such as manual therapy, exercise, self-management techniques, advice, posture correction, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy and groups e.g. gym.
Musculoskeletal community service leaflet
The MSK clinicians are working within Primary care as first contact practitioners “Barnsley Physio Works”. This service facilitates access to a highly skilled regulated musculoskeletal clinician, who can ensure patient’s with MSK problems are on the correct Musculoskeletal pathway, providing their MSK assessment, triage, treatment plan and (where appropriate) investigations and referral. This saves both time and resources within primary care teams.
Why would someone choose the service?
- Clinical staff help you to understand the nature of your problem and will help you to return to your best possible potential recovery.
- Our appointments allow you the time to ask questions and be involved in making decisions about your care.
- We work closely with your GP and secondary care consultants to make sure you get the best care available.
- Clinic locations available throughout Barnsley.
Staff you may meet
- There are more than 60 different specialities that doctors work within the NHS. Each is unique but there are many characteristics which are common. Roles range from working in a hospital to being based in the community as a GP.
- There are many people who work behind the scenes to keep services running and you may meet them in hospital or community settings. They include porters, cleaners, plumbers, electricians, decorators receptionists and secretaries who all work to make sure healthcare settings are kept clean, tidy and safe.
- The NHS employs a wide range of clinical staff, it wouldn’t be possible to list them all on this website! All our clinical staff are skilled, dedicated professionals who adhere to high standards of training and work-place practice.
- Receptionists are the first link for many patients and visitors. They often work on their own or with one or two other receptionists, greeting patients as they arrive and check them in. They might also collect patient notes and ensure that these vital records go to the right healthcare professional. In a clinic, they may make appointments and arrange patient transport.
Why a professional should choose the service
Delivery
The service provides a range of services to patients:
- Physiotherapy assessment and treatment.
- Appropriate diagnosis.
- Implementation of clinical decisions that result from diagnosis.
- Specialist physiotherapy.
- Injection of joints or soft tissues where required.
- Discharge planning including referral on to other services, patient education/information and self-management plans.
The service aims to provide the best options for care, ensuring patients are seen by the most appropriate healthcare professional, at the appropriate time and in the appropriate place. Patients will only be referred for hospital care when there is a need for hospital-based specialist services.
Key aims include:
- To provide clinical triage, assessment and treatment within a comprehensive clinical community service for MSK referrals.
- To reduce waiting times for patients with MSK conditions.
- To ensure patients are on the appropriate pathway, enabling them to be seen by the correct healthcare professional without delay.
- Support education and self-management, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle that will reduce recurrence of injury or illness.
A professional should choose the service because:
- PPI Audit results –year on year shows high patient satisfaction.
- Relieves burden of referrals into secondary care providers.
- Provides a service in the most appropriate setting.
- Provides diagnosis and expert advice to people who have musculoskeletal problems, helping them to remain active and at work wherever possible.
- Seamless care episodes following assessment +/- investigation with other AHP services and secondary care where indicated.
- The central point of musculoskeletal referrals.
- Highly skilled clinicians providing expert and comprehensive assessment.
Support offered
Assessment
Investigations
Education
Self-care
Exercises
Condition management
Treatment
Onward referral
Outcomes
Improved physical/mental well being
Ability to self-care
Recovery
Relapse prevention
Direction to most appropriate management intervention or treatment
Referrals accepted from:
GP staff, GPs
Referrals also accepted from:
Referrals are accepted from GPs, first contact practitioners (FCP), physician associates (PA) or advanced nurse practitioners (ANP). Referrals accepted from Barnsley GP practices via NHS E-Referral Service (ERS) only.
Referral criteria:
Referrals accepted from:
There are several ways to be referred to the MSK service. You can be referred directly by the following:
First contact practitioners (FCP), GPs, physician associates (PA) or advanced nurse practitioners (ANP)
If you have any musculoskeletal problems the FCP will be more appropriate as you can access an FCP appointment through your GP practice.
If your GP practice doesn’t have a FCP on site, you will be offered an appointment with an FCP at another GP practice.
What is an FCP?
A FCP is a highly trained specialist physiotherapist who is an expert in musculoskeletal conditions and are the best person to see for muscle, joint or back problems.
Once referred:
Once referred into the clinical assessment service you will be issued with a telephone appointment by your referrer. It is important that you call the clinical assessment service (CAS) on (01226 644858) at the date and time you have been provided. Your referral will be screened by qualified clinical staff to the service you will need to be seen in. On this telephone call you will speak to a patient care advisor. You will need your NHS number and access code for this appointment, this should have been given to you by the service who referred you.
**Failure to call the clinical assessment service will delay your treatment and possibly mean you will be discharged.
Patients will be directed to a physiotherapist when:
- The condition is one that is best managed by physiotherapy treatment, education, advice, self-management or where there is no clear indication for surgery
- Treatment may include individual sessions, exercise classes, hydrotherapy or core stability exercises where appropriate
Patients will be directed to secondary care (orthopaedics, rheumatology, pain management) where:
- There is a clear or likely indication for surgery.
- There is relevant abnormal blood results listed in the referral letter.
- The condition may require surgery and has previously been managed unsuccessfully by a conservative approach
- Other Urgent findings are identified
Exclusions
- The service does not provide care for people requiring emergency treatment
- Patients under the age of 16 should be refered to children’s therapy services
Attending your first appointment within the MSK service:
- Please bring a list of your current medication
- Please bring a pair of shorts or vest to your appointment as appropriate
- Inform us as soon as possible if you prefer either a male or female physiotherapist which will be arranged by the clinical assessment service
- If you require an interpreter, we will need one week’s notice to arrange this which will be arranged by the clinical assessment service
- You may wish to bring a chaperone for your initial assessment
If possible, please avoid bringing small children to your appointments. Treatment areas may not be suitable for children.
The community appointment day is an invite only appointment for you to discover how you can help manage your musculoskeletal issue with support from physiotherapists and local providers.
You will be issued your own 'patient passport', which will guide you through the process giving you access to different stations including:
- What matters to you discussion
- Advice and guidance
- Rehabilitation
- 1:1 Physiotherapy assessment (if required)
- Local community services
Where: The Priory Centre located on the Priory Campus in Lundwood, Barnsley. It will take place in the Conference Hall, which is located at the rear of the building - please see the BHF Priory Centre website for details.
BHF Priory Centre,
Pontefract Road,
Lundwood,
Barnsley,
South Yorkshire,
S71 5PN
There is plenty of parking on site.
Contact us if you can't make your appointment
Please contact the musculoskeletal service on 01226 644858 if you have received an invite and can’t make it.
FAQs - Community appointment day patient information
What is it?
This is your physiotherapy appointment and is an opportunity for you to discuss ‘what matters to you’ with physiotherapists and other specialist community services.
This is a new way of working for our service as we look to increase our community engagement in the musculoskeletal services we offer and there will be opportunity to comment on your experience at the end of your session and we value any feedback.
Where is it?
The Priory Centre located on the Priory Campus in Lundwood, Barnsley. It will take place in the Conference Hall.
BHF Priory Centre,
Pontefract Road,
Lundwood,
Barnsley,
South Yorkshire,
S71 5PN
Travel:
Please visit the BHF Priory Centre website for travel information.
How to prepare for your appointment:
- Consider why you were referred to the MSK service.
- Consider ‘what matters to you’ about your condition.
- Think about what you have done about your condition already.
- Think about what you would like to do about your condition or what support you think you need.
- Charge and bring your mobile phone or tablet.
- Also, wear appropriate clothing (loose fitting clothing or sports clothing).
What to expect:
We are inviting patients from our physiotherapy waiting list to attend a community appointment day at BHF Priory Centre. Please see BHF Priory Centre for travel details.
Your appointment will take place in the conference hall, which is located at the back of the building when coming through the main entrance. There will be people to greet you and guide you through the process.
At your appointment you will be able to discuss your problem and ‘what matters to you’ with a clinician along with receiving appropriate advice and care from physiotherapists and local community services.
Your appointment will begin with a ‘what matters to you’ conversation with a clinician. Following this you will be guided through the next steps in which you will have the opportunity for rehabilitation advice, general advice and guidance and further assessment if necessary. In addition, there will be community services in the room to allow you to quickly gain ongoing support for your health needs as required. Your appointment time will last up to 90 minutes.
Throughout your appointment you will complete an individual patient passport. For most people this will be an electronic document on your phone or tablet that will be enabled when you arrive for your appointment (assistance will be on hand to help you with this as required).
We ask that you bring your device with you, fully charged (some charging points will be available if required) to allow you to access this. If you are unable to access an electronic device on the day this can be completed on a paper copy.
Three simple questions will form most of the passport:
- What matters to you today?
- What do you plan to do about it?
- What is your plan if it does not improve?
The physiotherapists and other community services in the room will help you answer these questions as you move around the room.
Once you are ready to leave the room you will have a check out discussion with a physiotherapist to allow you to review your action plan and to ensure you know what to do if your issue continues. You can be issued a patient initiated follow up appointment with the musculoskeletal team for up to 6 months if you need further support with your issue.
Following this you will submit the electronic passport on your device. This will form your patient record of the day, you will be sent a copy of your answers as the passport is your treatment plan, which you can use for further reference as required.
Please note all the services in the room are free for all patients.
Why were you offered this appointment?
Modern healthcare aims to enable communities to focus as much on preventing illness as treating it. Working collaboratively with our patients and communities in the design and delivery of their own healthcare needs, we can make prevention a reality.
Feedback
- 96% of patients rated their experience as very good or excellent.
- 98% of patients felt they were treated with kindness and compassion.
- 97% of patients felt every effort was made to help understand their issues.
- “I finally feel like I have been listened to, and that I am getting the treatment and support I need!”
- “It wasn’t what I expected and is different to a regular appointment in clinic, however I now feel like I have got the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment I need to move forwards”
- “Incredibly beneficial and much better than a usual 1:1 appointment in clinic. I would happily attend these appointments again in the future”
- “I would usually have to wait months to see a physio, for them to then have to refer me on to pain management! Today, I got to see a physio and speak with pain management on the same day!”