Integrated Care Partnership – musculoskeletal services

As part of their work the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) has been developing a number of working groups to look after a few projects based around musculoskeletal (known widely as MSK) services.

By working with partners across the health and care systems, as well as other organisations such as the voluntary sector they are committed to transforming MSK services.

One service, which began on 2 January is the West Essex Community Pain Service.  This is for people with persistent (chronic) pain and is a fully holistic pain assessment.  A multi-disciplinary team (MDT) made up of medical consultant, physiotherapists, clinical nurse specialists, pharmacists and a clinical psychologist all work with people to help them make personal goals to help with their pain.

So far 218 people have been referred and 180 of these have already been seen.

Other services include rolling out the First Contact Practitioner (FCP) which is in place at the moment in Uttlesford to Harlow in May and all practices by the end of October.  There is also a new GP with Special Interest (GPSI) specialising in rheumatology.

All of these services mean better support and outcomes for our population throughout west Essex.