Doctors at a Nantwich surgery have teamed up with a healthcare company to boost physiotherapy care and speed up access to GP appointments.
Kiltearn Medical Centre has launched a pilot project with South Cheshire-based physiotherapy and wellbeing specialists, ctchealthcare.
The scheme will offer patients direct access to physiotherapy treatment for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions without the need to be referred.
It is funded by the Government’s GP Access Fund which aims to ease pressure on GPs and support primary care services by backing their innovative ideas for improvement.
The practice, which has more than 13,000 patients on its books, has introduced highly-skilled nurses who can care for people with minor ailments, write prescriptions and make consultant referrals.
It is in the process of employing a full time pharmacist who will support repeat prescribing, medication reviews and chronic disease management.
This month, it introduces a frontline triage system which will fast-track patients to appointments with doctors, nurses and physiotherapists as well as the pharmacist.
Lead GP Peter Flattery said: “Kiltearn is an extremely busy practice and our aim is to concentrate on improving access to GP appointments by providing patients with options for their healthcare.
“A number of changes have been introduced as part of our commitment to providing the best possible service to our patients.
“The pilot scheme with ctchealthcare will offer patients direct access to skilled physiotherapy and wellbeing specialists.
“This will be in addition to the physiotherapy services already offered at the surgery and will offer out of hours appointments.”
Assessments and treatments will be carried out by ctchealthcare owner Rick Carter, who has run clinics in South Cheshire for 21 years.
He said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to provide the brief intervention service at Kiltearn alongside its established physiotherapy service.
“The GPs at the practice are innovative, driven and keen to provide the best possible access to appropriate, targeted services.”
The pilot project began on May 5 and will offer patients direct access to physiotherapy appointments on Thursdays from 6.40-8pm and Saturdays 9am to noon.
For details on appointments with ctchealthcare at Kiltearn Medical Centre visit www.kiltearnmedicalcentre.nhs.uk
(Pic: Kiltearn’s Peter Flattery and Sarah Burchell with Rick Carter of ctchealthcare)
I have to agree. It’s currently funded by the government (us via taxes) at the moment, but later when NHS staffing is further reduced, it may become chargeable! If there was enough NHS funding/staff, this wouldn’t be necessary.
Privatisation by the back door. Good idea in theory – but sinister in practice….