Integrated Community Musculoskeletal (MSK) Service for North Tyneside

North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) are working for and on behalf of NHS North Tyneside CCG who wish to commission an Integrated Community MSK service for North Tyneside and are inviting expressions of interest in this tender opportunity.

The overarching outcome of the service is to enhance the management of patients within primary care and actively manage the demand for secondary care services; ensuring patients have speedy access to appropriate treatment.

This service is for patients aged 18 and over with musculoskeletal symptoms where all alternative conservative treatments have been considered as first line management.

The service will: • triage referrals; • treat symptoms, including by joint injections; • arrange access to appropriate diagnostics, either by direct provision or by referral to a third party provider; and • make onward referrals when deemed necessary.

The aims of the Integrated Community MSK Service are to: • Increase the percentage of patients completing treatment reporting high levels of patient satisfaction and confidence in the MSK service. • High number of patients self-managing their condition. • Provision of patient and carer education. • Transfer activity from an acute setting to the community. • Improve the clinical pathway by developing joint working between primary and secondary care providers and clinicians. • Increase the opportunities and management of patients in primary care without the need for referral to secondary care. • A reduction in health inequalities through improved access. • Increase conversion rates for surgery (for referrals from the service to secondary care).