Integrated Community Musculoskeletal (MSK) Service for Darlington

Tender description

North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) are working for and on behalf of NHS Darlington CCG who wish to commission an Integrated Community MSK service for Darlington 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 with musculoskeletal symptoms where all alternative conservative treatments have been considered as first line management. The service will deliver: -A single point of contact for patient management through the pathway by trained practitioners -Clinics in easily accessible locations throughout the community. -Access to highly specialised advice and treatment for both patients and other professionals in the management of all MSK conditions -Assessment by a specialist practitioner to identify those red flags not detected by the GP -Manage patients on CBT principles -To provide back pain service in line with Regional Back Pain Programme’s (RBPP) pathway in line with current NICE guidance -Specialist practitioner will maintain overall direction of the management plan -Provision of developed care pathways which allow smooth transition between primary and secondary care interface ensuring timely intervention / referrals and rapid access to emergency diagnostics or treatment offering patient choice where appropriate. The aims of the Integrated Community MSK Service are to: -To deliver a service which meets the needs of the local health community -To ensure patients receive appropriate assessment and treatment in a timely manner to help reduce long term disability -To ensure patients are only referred for surgical intervention or appropriate further advice/diagnostics where appropriate -To follow agreed pathways that optimises patient outcomes and use of resources.