Musculoskeletal patients can join virtual session

RESIDENTS living with musculoskeletal conditions (MSK) have been invited to share their experiences with health leaders.

Later this month, there are two meetings for charity leaders and sufferers to discuss service improvements.

Carl Davies, director of MSK and Orthopaedics for Berkshire West Integrated Care Partnership (ICP), said MSK is an umbrella term that includes conditions affecting joints, bones, muscles, soft tissue problems, rheumatology, chronic pain and orthopaedics.

“A large number of GP appointments are MSK related and we are committed to providing our local people with a wide range of services that deliver the right care, at the right time, in the right place,” he said.

“We also believe it’s important to consider the wider social factors affecting people’s health and establishing something that reaches patients who may traditionally fall between clinical services but still need additional help.

“This could include things like social support, further education about their condition or information and signposting to existing services.”

He continued: “To make sure the services and support we provide is properly tailored to people’s needs means that we must talk to them about what’s currently available, find where there may be gaps, what’s stopping people accessing the services and whether there are support networks already established,” he added.

“This is why we hope as many people as possible will be able to join us for the events so we can work together in the co-design and delivery of additional community support for people with musculoskeletal conditions.”

The session will run online via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, June 22, from 4pm to 6pm and on Thursday, June 24, from 10am until noon.

The deadline to book is tomorrow (Friday)

For more information, and to book a slot, email: karen.grannum@nhs.net and indicating the desired session.