The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a new scheme to fast-track treatment for people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, targeting areas with the longest waiting times. This initiative is part of the Government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ white paper.
DWP figures reveal that over 1.1 million individuals in England and Wales were receiving up to £737.20 a month through Personal Independence Payments (PIP) for MSK conditions as of October’s end. To tackle economic inactivity, where people are not working or job-hunting, 17 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England will share £3.5 million to improve MSK services.
However, this boost does not extend to Scotland. The funding will provide up to £300,000 per area in England and Wales to address one of the main reasons for economic inactivity, reports the Daily Record.
It’s part of the Labour Government’s Plan for Change, aiming to “put more money into people’s pockets and get the NHS back on its feet”. The MSK Community Delivery Programme, under NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, will equip ICBs with resources and leadership to devise better treatment strategies for MSK patients, cut wait times, and support their return to work.
Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern MP, has emphasised the need to support individuals who have been unable to work due to health issues, stating: “For too long people locked out of work with health issues have been forgotten about and denied the support they need to get well and get working. It’s stifling our economy and preventing those eager to progress in life from unleashing their full potential.”
To address this, she has announced significant financial support: “This multi-million-pound funding boost means musculoskeletal patients across the country will get the help they need, as we give clinical leaders the resources to innovate, get people off waiting lists and get Britain working again.”
According to the UK Government, approximately 2.8 million people are currently economically inactive due to long-term health conditions, with musculoskeletal (MSK) issues being a major contributor. The backlog for community-based MSK service appointments in England stands at 348,799, with 23.4 million working days lost to MSK conditions in the previous year.
Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, weighed in on the issue of musculoskeletal conditions, underlining: “With prevention, early detection and treatment, we know that the 17 million people with musculoskeletal issues in England could better manage their conditions, improving their quality of life and enabling them to rejoin the workforce.”
He went on to affirm government resolve, adding: “Through the Plan for Change, the government is taking decisive action to drive down waiting lists, improve treatment options and boost the economy.”
The unveiling of the MSK Community Services programme, he suggested, represents a substantial advancement in meeting the needs of individuals living with such ailments, including arthritis. Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis, further underscored the profound effects these conditions can exert on employment, declaring: “With over 20 million people living with musculoskeletal conditions, including 10 million with arthritis, Versus Arthritis understands the devastating impact these conditions can have on working lives.”
She described how “Arthritis can cause debilitating pain, joint stiffness and prevent people doing everyday tasks, with work sometimes made to feel an impossible challenge.”
Aimed at aiding those suffering from MSK conditions in managing their health and maintaining employment, the programme is set to be introduced in 17 areas across England.
The programme’s launch is a key part of the Government’s broader initiative to reform employment support and increase workforce participation, as detailed in the Get Britain Working White Paper.
