Physiotherapy specialists from University Hospitals Tees are helping patients across Hartlepool access faster care and treatment, by bringing hospital services into their local community.
The integrated musculoskeletal (iMSK) team from North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust recently held a community appointment day (CAD) at Brierton Community Sports and Leisure Centre in Hartlepool on Wednesday 29 July.
Using population health data and waiting list information, the team identified and invited more than 250 patients with routine, chronic or ongoing musculoskeletal conditions who were most likely to benefit from early intervention and support.
Patients were able to pre-book appointment slots, helping to make access to care as straightforward and flexible as possible.
Upon arrival, each patient received a personalised, holistic assessment, allowing clinicians to identify and address a range of health needs within a single, coordinated appointment.
Alongside their assessment, patients were also encouraged to access a variety of support services aimed at removing barriers to care and improving overall wellbeing.
They also had the opportunity to take part in rehabilitation taster sessions, sign up for ongoing programmes, and attend educational sessions to better understand how the nervous system interprets pain.
One of those invited to the event was Hartlepool resident, Vanessa Horwood. She said:
“I had been struggling with quite a lot of hip pain, so being invited along today has been really beneficial.
“The team were able to pinpoint the problem, provide treatment and give me exercises to help strengthen my right leg at home.
“They also signposted me to other services where I can access further information and support.
The appointment felt very personal. I had one-to-one time with the clinician in a private setting, and there was no waiting around – I was seen straight away. It was a really positive experience.”
While community appointment days (CADs) have been successfully trialled by a small number of NHS trusts elsewhere in the country, this is the first initiative of its kind in the North East.
Samantha Raistrick, iMSK team lead at North Tees and Hartlepool said: “The community appointment day represents a significant step forward in delivering care closer to home and strengthening our commitment to community-based healthcare.
“With more than 20 stall holders from across our organisation, charities and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VSCE) organisations, patients were able to access a wide range of advice, support and resources in one place.
“This ‘one-stop shop’ approach helps connect patients with the right services at the right time, reducing the need for multiple appointments or referrals and supporting them to better manage their health and wellbeing.”
Diane Matthews, iMSK team lead at North Tees and Hartlepool said: “By increasing capacity and seeing large numbers of patients in a single day, the initiative has helped to reduce waiting times and enabled patients to access physiotherapy assessment and treatment sooner.
“Going forward, we will use the insights gained from this event to shape future community appointment days and expand our reach across the wider community, ensuring more patients can benefit from timely, accessible care closer to home.”
“We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success.
“Our sincere gratitude goes out to our iMSK team, business support staff, administrative colleagues and Teesside University for generously lending equipment, and all the charities, voluntary organisations, and internal services across our organisation who so kindly gave their time and expertise.”