Your guide to Musculoskeletal Services in East Sussex
What is musculoskeletal heath?
Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions can affect your joints, bones and muscles and sometimes associated tissues such as your nerves. They can range from minor injuries to long-term conditions.
Over 20 million people in the UK, almost one third of the population, have an MSK condition such as arthritis or back pain. Symptoms can include pain, stiffness, limited movement, and disability which affect quality of life and independence.
What are musculoskeletal services?
MSK services offer pathways and services for the care and treatment of patients with bone, joint and muscle conditions. This includes, but is not limited to Physiotherapy, Orthopaedics (not trauma), Orthotics, Rheumatology, and Pain Management services.
How are musculoskeletal services delivered in East Sussex?
MSK services are provided by two different NHS Trusts/Partnerships in East Sussex and which service you can access will depend on where you live. MSK Clinics are held in venues across East Sussex, to provide patient care closer to home.
If you live in Hastings and Rother MSK services are delivered by ESHT Musculoskeletal Therapy Services
If you live elsewhere in East Sussex, MSK services are delivered by Sussex MSK Partnership East
Do I need a referral to access MSK services in East Sussex?
You need to be registered to an East Sussex GP practice to access MSK services. Some MSK services require a referral from a healthcare practitioner, such as your GP. However, you can self-refer to physiotherapy without needing to see a GP first (see further information below).
Referrals are clinically triaged by a specialist team to determine the best care pathway for the individual’s needs and situation.
Physiotherapy – Self-referral
If you have a problem affecting your bones, joints or muscles and would like an assessment from a physiotherapist or have previously had successful physiotherapy that you would like to engage with again, you can fill in an online form to self-refer yourself.
For those in Hastings and Rother, you can complete a self-referral here: ESHT MSK Self-Referral
For elsewhere in East Sussex, you can complete a self-referral here: Sussex MSK Partnership East Self-Referral
By self-referring, you will help reduce demand on primary care services and your referral can be started much quicker.
Please note: If your symptoms are concerning you and you think there might still be a need to see a GP, please do so. If your doctor then advises physiotherapy, a referral will be accepted either from your GP or via self-referral.
For further information:
If you live in Hastings and Rother, see: ESHT MSK Therapy Services
Email: esht.hrmsktriagehelp@nhs.net
Tel: 0300 131 5225
If you live elsewhere in East Sussex, see: Sussex MSK Partnership East
Email: sussexmskeast.contact@nhs.net
Tel: 0300 300 0003
Contact Us:
If you would like help to navigate health and care services, or you wish to share your experiences of health or social care with us, you can contact our Information and Signposting service on:
Telephone: 0333 101 4007
Email: enquiries@healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk
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