Musculoskeletal and pain services are joining up in North Kirklees

From 1 October 2019, Musculoskeletal (MSK) and pain services in North Kirklees will be joined up and provided by Connect Health. 

This joint service will cover:

• Orthopaedics (the area of medicine dealing with conditions affecting bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves)
• MSK Rheumatology
• MSK Physiotherapy
• MSK Pain Management

This new model of care was developed based on evaluation of the current provision, feedback from patients, engagement with clinicians and the national NHS England MSK Mandated Framework.

A procurement process took place in 2018 to find a provider to for this service, the existing contract ending on 30 September 2019.

Dr David Kelly, local GP and Chair of NHS North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “This new combined service will ensure that local people receive the best personalised MSK and pain management services for  their needs, in a timely manner, receiving the right care in the right place at the right time – first time.”

The core service will be located in locations across North Kirklees. Patients who are already being treated for pain management will continue to be seen by the current provider, In Health Pain Management Solutions.

Sadie Booker, Service Manager for Connect Health said: “Connect Health is delighted to be working together with North Kirklees CCG to help deliver an exemplary service for the people of West Yorkshire. Our aim is to support the provision of musculoskeletal and persistent pain conditions providing increased choice of how and when patients access our services, bringing care into the community and closer to home.

We are very excited about this partnership and look forward to it benefitting both patients and clinicians.”