A new referral system for people who require MSK physiotherapy support is now in place for people living in the Northern Corridor.
The service now accepts referrals through four distinct pathways:
- Online self-referral
- Paper self-referral
- Direct Referral from GP or other healthcare professional via SCI Gateway
- Walking Aid or splint (Wrist and thumb Spica) Self-Referral
Brian Slattery, physiotherapy MSK strategy lead, said: “These new referral pathways are designed to improve access for patients while also reducing the referral burden on GPs and our other referrers.
“We are experiencing a sustained demand for appointments with the service’s routine waits currently standing at 33 weeks. However, urgent waits for the service are currently 1-4 weeks.
“As part of our commitment to bringing down these waits, some patients may be offered a quicker appointment elsewhere in Lanarkshire where appropriate. While this means they may be seen sooner, patients will have to complete their full course of physiotherapy at that location.
“Acute lower back pain drop-in clinics are running each week in both North and South Lanarkshire for people aged 16+ with new low back pain.
“Every Thursday between 1-2.30 pm we run a clinic at the Douglas Street clinic in Hamilton and there’s also one in the Katherine Ward at Wester Moffat Hospital every Friday between 09.30-11am.These are first-come-first-served. We provide assessment, onwards referral to our/other services and self-management advice at the clinics.”
Resources are also available for people prior to considering referral to the service or for those on the MSK physio waiting list which have a range of information on how they can self-manage a range of conditions.
Our MSK website can be accessed at: https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/services/physiotherapy-msk
NHS Inform also has a wealth of information to help with MSK conditions: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/muscle-bone-and-joints
