Pennine MSK Partnership

MSK ICAT is fully 18 week compliant on patient journeys.

One of our key features is offering patient choice within NHS care. MSK ICAT can offer as standard:

• Referrals triaged within 24 hours of being attached on Choose and Book
• Initial assessment within 4 weeks (over 80% within 3 weeks)
• Assessment and treatment appointments offered from a number of locations across Oldham including Shaw, Saddleworth, Failsworth, Glodwick & Oldham Centre and at different times of the day and week including evenings and weekends
• Delivering outpatient care from community services and settings in responding to the shifting care closer to home agenda
• Direct listing at pre-op stage to a number of providers on the extended choice menu including Oaklands, Highfi eld and GMSC as private facility choices

MSK ICAT’s are in the process of transferring Oldham Rheumatology Infl ammatory Arthritis outpatients to the service. The service will be a consultant led community service.

After referral by your doctor, an initial assessment will ensure the most appropriate care, including:

• Assessment, diagnosis and treatment for patients with rheumatological and orthopaedic problems or musculoskeletal problems of whatever cause.
• Rapid referral to secondary care if appropriate
• Injection clinics
• Telephone advice line

How do we do the assessment?

There is a team of highly specialised health professionals working in the service. Your referral will be sent to the appropriate health care professional for initial assessment.

This will take approximately 20 - 30 minutes when they will discuss your problem and your general health.

This will be followed by a physical examination, during which you may be required to remove items of clothing. It is therefore advisable to wear sensible undergarments, so that the clinician can carry out an effective assessment.

What next?

After this initial appointment we will discuss with you the most appropriate course of management for your condition. This may involve treatment, further assessment or referral to another relevant health professional.

Your appoinment

If you cannot keep your appointment please contact :-
0161 620 6609 to arrange another appointment.

• Please arrive promptly for your appointment.
• On arrival report to reception and you will be seen as soon as possible.

If you fail to attend your appointment without letting us know beforehand, you will be discharged and your GP will be notified. You will not automatically be offered a new appointment, but within four weeks if you still need an appointment you can request your GP practice to arrange this for you.

Interpreter services

If your understanding of English is limited we can arrange for an interpreter to be present. Please notify us within 48 hours of your appointment if you require this service, specifying which language you require.