03 July 2009
NHS patients in Sutton and Merton are now benefiting from increased choice, convenience and access to advice for back and joint pain following the launch of a new Community Musculoskeletal (MSK) Service by Assura Wandle GPCo.
Introduced as part of Better Healthcare Closer to Home, the local NHS plan for improving healthcare in Sutton and Merton, the new service means that patients with MSK conditions such as lower back pain, joint problems and repetitive strain injuries will benefit from assessment and advice from specialists including consultant surgeons and extended scope practitioners, within a community setting, helping to avoid some unnecessary trips to the local hospital.
Provided on behalf of Sutton and Merton Primary Care Trust, the service is run by Assura Wandle LLP, a partnership between family doctors in the Sutton and Merton area and Assura.
Established in 2008, the partnership was set up to improve patient choice and access by delivering services from community-based locations that are closer to people’s homes. It is run by local doctors for local people.
The launch of the MSK service follows closely behind the launch of Assura Wandle’s new Ophthalmology Service, which offers advice and treatment for eye conditions in the community.
All local GPs can refer into the clinics which will be located at Cannon Hill Lane Medical Practice and the Francis Grove Surgery on a Tuesday, Friday or Saturday.
Dr Andrew Murray, GP Partner at the Church Lane Medical Practice and Chairman of Assura Wandle said: “We are delighted to be providing this new service for the benefit of local people living in Sutton and Merton.
"It has been set up with input from local GPs and specialists to ensure that patients’ needs are met and so that they can be treated without the need to attend hospital unless they really need to."
Stephen Waring, Director of Better Healthcare Closer to Home, commented: "We are pleased that this new service is helping local people to get the healthcare they need more conveniently, nearer where they live. This is in line with our policy of providing more services in the community and in people’s own homes."
Arif Ladha, business director for Assura Wandle said: "This MSK primary care service is the second of several community-based services the partnership aims to provide for local patients. Our services will make a real difference to patient care and patients should experience reduced waiting times for appointments and find the services conveniently located closer to their homes."
All patients are invited to complete a patient satisfaction survey and to provide feedback on the service. A full evaluation of the MSK and Ophthalmology services will be made at regular intervals.
ENDS
Press enquiries regarding Assura Group to:
Andrew McKeon, AJM Public Relations.
Tel: 01423 734 560; Mobile: 07802 484 155
Louise Bathersby, Assura Group.
Tel: 020 7107 3830
