Clinic details

Please bring to the appointment any recent prescriptions and/or a list of current medications.

• Patients under 18: If the Patient is under 18, then please advise us when you book their appointment, as some of our services may only be available to Adults.
• Patients with additional needs: If the Patient is vulnerable, or has a disability, or mobility problems, then please advise us when you book their appointment.
• Transport: If you require hospital transport, please advise us when you book your appointment. Please note that transportation is not provided with some Hospitals.
• Translation Support: If you require an interpreter, please advise us which language you require when you book your appointment.

The term ‘musculoskeletal’ (often shortened to MSK) refers to the body’s joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and any other structures that support the limbs, neck and back. You have been referred to the service because of an injury to one of these areas.

In your area, Connect Health has been contracted to provide the MSK service on behalf of the NHS. It is an NHS service, completely free at the point of entry like all NHS services.

Our service brings together a range of specialist MSK clinicians to assess, diagnose and manage your condition within your local community.

During your assessment you might be required to carry out a number of movements to determine the cause of your pain. Therefore we recommend you wear suitable loose fitting clothing, such as t-shirt, shorts, jogging bottoms and underwear that you are comfortable being assessed in.

• Keep us informed: If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please call the service at least 48 hours prior to your appointment, so it can be offered to someone else. This keeps patient waiting times low and helps to reduce NHS costs. If you do not give us sufficient notice, you may be discharged from this service.
• Don’t be a DNA: If you Do Not Attend (DNA) or you are late to your appointment without notifying us, you may be discharged from this service.

Depending on your symptoms, and wherever possible informed by choice, your first appointment may be completed by telephone, video or face-to-face. This first appointment will be the start of your clinical assessment and treatment. This will be completed by an MSK Clinician. An MSK Clinician is someone who has a clinical qualification to treat people with bone, muscle, joint or nerve symptoms. This may be a physiotherapist, osteopath, chiropractor or sports therapist. They will tell you their clinical background when they introduce themselves to you.

We recommend you see the same clinician for the duration of your time with us so that you do not have to repeat yourself. Sometimes this means waiting a little longer for your next appointment however, the benefits of this are seen as people will often achieve their goals more quickly. It may be appropriate that another member of the team sees you, as they may have a different skillset that you need to help you achieve your goals. You will be informed of this if this is the case. The MSK team may include:

• MSK or Senior MSK Clinician
• Advanced MSK Clinician – a clinician with specialist orthopaedic or rehabilitation skills
• Consultant MSK Clinician – a clinician with expert specialist orthopaedic or rehabilitation skills
• Pain Specialist – a clinician that has specialised in pain that persists

At your first appointment you will be asked questions regarding your symptoms, any hobbies, work, previous conditions etc. You will also be asked to set some goals that we can help you achieve as part of your treatment plan.

Your treatment plan will be discussed with you and may include a variety of  treatment options, to help you to return to your usual activities. Your treatment plan will also include advice and specific exercises to help you to self-manage your condition.

• During your treatment, you may be referred for Diagnostic tests such as Blood-Samples, X-Ray, CT-Scans, MRI Scans etc.
• You may be required to attend a walk-in clinic, or we may request the test for you.
• Diagnostic tests may take up to 8 weeks to receive the results
• We monitor your progress throughout the diagnostic process, so there is no need to call us earlier than 8 Weeks after you have attended your appointment.