Raising the quality of MSK community service provision in Hammersmith & Fulham

We chose to partner with Connect for our MSK service because they provided the highest quality tender combining service capability, quality and bid price Jess Simpson, Acting Head of Planned Care for CCG Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F) is a small

24 September 2019

We chose to partner with Connect for our MSK service because they provided the highest quality tender combining service capability, quality and bid price

Jess Simpson, Acting Head of Planned Care for CCG

Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F) is a small but densely populated borough with 180,000 residents living in 6.3 sq. miles. H&F CCG is made up of 30 GP practices, responsible for planning and commissioning health services for the diverse population and significant health inequalities of the borough. Due to long waiting lists for Musculoskeletal (MSK) services, fragmented service delivery and a lack of innovation and pathway redesign, H&F CCG carried out a procurement exercise and commenced a new contract with Connect Health in May 2016 for:

  • Community MSK physiotherapy services
  • Outpatient orthopaedic services
  • Outpatient rheumatology services
  • Chronic MSK pain management services

Summary results

For the first year of the service significant improvements have been made

  • Reductions in secondary care referrals by GPs year on year
    – 14% reduction in Trauma & Orthopaedics
    – 19% reduction in Rheumatology
  • Reduction in MRI expenditure
    – 31% reduction Apr 15-Jan 16 compared with Apr 16-Jan 17
    – 46% reduction in Jan 16 v Jan 17
  • Reduction in waiting times for MSK services, despite an increase in activity
    – 99% RTT (referral to treatment) rate
    – 85% of patients are seen in physio clinic within 3 weeks from GP referral

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