Trust HQ
Edward Jenner Court
1010 Pioneer Avenue
Brockworth
Gloucester
GL3 4AW
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E-mail: freedomofinformation@ghc.nhs.uk Website: www.ghc.nhs.uk
DATE: 08/03/2022
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Freedom of Information Request – Ref: FOI 025-2022
Thank you for your recent Freedom of Information request. Please find our response below.
1. Please briefly outline the relevant services within outpatient and/or community physiotherapy that you are commissioned to provide for musculoskeletal conditions, and any services that are specific to back pain? Commissioned to deliver Adult MSK Physiotherapy, this encompasses all MSK conditions including back pain referrals that enter our Service. MSKAP- Musculoskeletal Advanced Practitioner Service, which operates two functionalities. Specialist Triage as part of the County MSK Pathway which is access to Orthopaedics and an assessment and diagnostic service for appropriateness of onward referral to secondary care.
2. What is the current average waiting time for a musculoskeletal physiotherapy appointment for a new referral or self-referral for non-specific lower back pain? if you are not able to answer this specifically for low back pain please provide the figure for musculoskeletal physiotherapy more generally in your service.. Current Waiting time for an Adult MSK Physiotherapy appointment – Urgent 4 weeks and Routine 14-16 weeks. All referrals are clinically triaged despite route into Service.
MSKAP- Routine 19 Weeks Urgent 2 weeks This is dependent on patient choice as they are able to self-book appointments.
3. How has the waiting time for musculoskeletal physiotherapy appointments for lower back pain changed over the historical time period for which you have data? If possible, an annual figure for each of the last 5-10 years would be most helpful. Again, please answer for general musculoskeletal physiotherapy services if you do not hold specific data for back pain.. Unable to provide information specifically for lower back pain. For all Adult Physiotherapy please see below table
Financial Year Average wait to 1st contact
2015-16 26.9
2016-17 30.5
2017-18 32.7
2018-19 33.0
2019-20 40.7
2020-21 20.2
2021-22 YTD 47.4
2021-22 YTD equals 01/01/2021 – 07/03/2022
4. How many patients are currently on your waiting lists. for physiotherapy services for lower back pain? Unable to say. Not differentiated by body part/condition.
5. How many patients are currently on your waiting lists. for physiotherapy services across all musculoskeletal conditions? Adult MSK Physiotherapy – 1800
MSKAP- 1028
6. Does your musculoskeletal physiotherapy services. accept self-referrals from patients for back pain as opposed to requiring a GP or primary care referral.? Yes we have operated a self-referral system since 2014 when we converted to an electronic system, SystmOne.
7. What is the contract type by which you are commissioned to provide musculoskeletal physiotherapy services? • If paid by activity and/or outcomes/results please provide the unit costs used to charge the CCG e.g. cost per physio appointment.
• If part of a block contract please provide the details of any KPIs and the associated incentives. within that block contract used to measure/monitor the quality of MSK physiotherapy services Block Contract.
Adult MSK Physiotherapy KPI 8 Week Referral to Treat Target. 8WRTT. All patients seen within 8 weeks from referral to first meaningful contact. MSKAP- 2 week RTT for urgent referrals and 8 week RTT for routine.
8. How does the average healthcare spend per patient for non-specific low back pain break down across different services and costs? Unable to give specific answer as Back Pain Data not unique to Service
Should you have any queries in relation to our response in this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you are unhappy with the response you have received in relation to your request and wish to ask us to review our response, you should write to:-
– Head of Legal Services / Associate Director of Corporate Governance Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Edward Jenner Court
1010 Pioneer Avenue
Gloucester Business Park
Brockworth
GLOUCESTER GL3 4AW
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E-mail: —
If you are not content with the outcome of any review, you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office ICO. for further advice/guidance. Generally, the ICO will not consider your case unless you have exhausted your enquiries with the Trust which should include considering the use of the Trust’s formal complaints procedure. The ICO can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.
Yours sincerely,
Freedom of Information Officer
On behalf of Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust
FOI Request
Sent: 10 February 2022 11:10
Subject: Freedom of Information Request - Musculoskeletal Services
This email originated from outside of the organisation. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognise the sender and know the content is safe. If unsure, please contact ghcit@ghc.nhs.uk
FAO the Trust freedom of information team,
I am writing to request information regarding services that you provide for musculoskeletal conditions, and specifically low back pain. I would appreciate your help with the following questions. The questions are all with regards to outpatient and/or community physiotherapy services:
1. Please briefly outline the relevant services within outpatient and/or community physiotherapy that you are commissioned to provide for musculoskeletal conditions, and any services that are specific to back pain?
2. What is the current average waiting time for a musculoskeletal physiotherapy appointment for a new referral or self-referral for non-specific lower back pain? if you are not able to answer this specifically for low back pain please provide the figure for musculoskeletal physiotherapy more generally in your service.
3. How has the waiting time for musculoskeletal physiotherapy appointments for lower back pain changed over the historical time period for which you have data? If possible, an annual figure for each of the last 5-10 years would be most helpful. Again, please answer for general musculoskeletal physiotherapy services if you do not hold specific data for back pain.. 4. How many patients are currently on your waiting lists. for physiotherapy services for lower back pain?
5. How many patients are currently on your waiting lists. for physiotherapy services across all musculoskeletal conditions?
6. Does your musculoskeletal physiotherapy services. accept self-referrals from patients for back pain as opposed to requiring a GP or primary care referral.?
7. What is the contract type by which you are commissioned to provide musculoskeletal physiotherapy services? a. If paid by activity and/or outcomes/results please provide the unit costs used to charge the CCG e.g. cost per physio appointment.
b. If part of a block contract please provide the details of any KPIs and the associated incentives. within that block contract used to measure/monitor the quality of MSK physiotherapy services
8. How does the average healthcare spend per patient for non-specific low back pain break down across different services and costs?
Many thanks in advance for your time and assistance with the above. Please let me know if clarification or additional detail would be helpful for any of the questions.