THE Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for north Hampshire is looking to get the opinion of those who use physiotherapists.

As a part of proposed changes to the way that GP practices give their care, including the use of primary care networks, the CCG is looking to get residents’ views on how their care is dealt with.

Primary care networks would see GP practices team up to work together in groups and would also mean they could pool resources to hire their own physiotherapists, or other musculoskeletal (MSK) professionals.

MSK issues include lots of common conditions like osteoarthritis, sprains, repetitive strain and back pain, and take up 20 to 30 percent of a GP’s appointments. Bringing in extra specialists will not only help people to get the right help sooner, but also free up GPs’ time for other things.

Referrals for physiotherapy can mean a long wait and travel to a specialist place for treatment.

The new scheme, being piloted in Alton, sees patients speak to the receptionist who books them straight in to see the physiotherapist.

The patient would be seen within days at the physiotherapist’s own, or neighbouring, practice.

To help shape how the new services will work for patients, North Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group is running a survey to find out what kind of help is needed with muscle and joint issues.

Have a say in how this new vision for healthcare should look by filling in a survey online at smartsurvey.co.uk/s/MSKNorthHants, or ask in practice for a paper copy.