Musculoskeletal conditions are one of the five priority areas we are focusing on to improve the health and wellbeing of people in our area.
In the East of England, MSK conditions are the second biggest cause of years lived with disability. Across England, they are also the second biggest reason that people are unable to work, with around 646,000 people on long‑term benefits and 26.5 million working days lost each year.
The impact of MSK conditions on our local population and health services
In the Central East area, MSK problems are one of the main reasons people need:
- outpatient appointments
- imaging, such as X‑rays or scans
- elective (planned) care.
There are also big differences in how quickly people are seen, what treatments they receive, and the outcomes they experience. Many people face long waits or have repeated appointments that do not help them move forward.
Why change is needed
A more proactive and consistent approach can help people get the right support earlier. This includes:
- supported self‑care
- digital tools
- early triage
- active management of symptoms
These changes can reduce unnecessary referrals and tests, improve patient flow, and make sure specialist care is focused on people who need it most.
We want to show how proactive care and digital tools can reduce demand while improving people’s experience.
Digital self‑care
Digital self‑care tools can help people manage their MSK symptoms at home. Evidence shows that these tools can:
- reduce unnecessary appointments
- cut down on imaging and referrals
- improve access to advice and support
- increase satisfaction by giving people more control over their care
Scaling up these tools across the area will help people get timely, reliable support without always needing to see a clinician.