NEW SERVICE TO EASE ORTHOPAEDIC PRESSURES HAILED A SUCCESS

Caerphilly Local Health Board and Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust are celebrating the successful first year of a new initiative that was launched to ease pressure on orthopaedic services in the area.

The Multi Professional Triage and Treatment Team (MPT3) was launched in November 2004 and since then over 800 patients have benefited from it. Suji Patel, physiotherapy manager, currently leads the team, which includes a GP, clinical specialist physiotherapists, a clinical specialist podiatrist, a clinic co-ordinator and administrative staff. All the clinicians have a special interest in musculoskeletal conditions and the team works very closely with orthopaedic surgeons in Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust.

Patients with musculoskeletal conditions who do not require the skills of a surgeon or surgery are referred by their GP directly to the MPT3 service instead of to the hospitals’ orthopaedic departments. The waiting time for the MPT3 service is approximately six weeks.

The MPT3 service provides early examination, diagnosis, treatment and advice to patients on how best to manage their condition. Where appropriate, patients can be referred onwards to mainstream physiotherapy, podiatry, pain clinic or an orthopaedic consultant surgeon. Team members can also refer patients for X-rays and blood tests where necessary.

Suji Patel said: “The MPT3 service has a vital role to play in the management and treatment of many patients with orthopaedic conditions. Studies have shown that many patients with musculoskeletal problems can benefit significantly from conservative management and treatment such as advice, physiotherapy, joint injections or podiatry and this is where MPT3 comes in. We are able to assess, diagnose, advise or treat and, where necessary, refer onwards. The majority of patients referred to this service have been treated by the team or referred to mainstream physiotherapy. This means that patients are seen and treated more quickly without needing to see a consultant surgeon.”

Laura Harris, a 20-year-old student from Ystrad Mynach, said: “This service saved my career. I’ve always wanted to be a professional musician but was told to look for alternative career paths because I was in so much pain. Two weeks after my GP’s referral, I was seen by the MPT3 team and am now fighting fit again and looking forward to my future as a viola player.”

Janet Thomas from Pontllanfraith added: “It’s such an excellent service and I’ve definitely benefited from being seen so quickly. In just four weeks, I’ve been referred, had my MRI scan and the results back. Without MPT3, I could have waited months for this. My clinical specialist physiotherapist, Alison, has been professional, helpful and supportive throughout.”

More information about the MPT3 service is available from Zoe Goodacre at Caerphilly Local Health Board on 01443 863696.