In March 2024, ARMA sent Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England to assess their leadership and strategic priorities for MSK services.
The responses revealed that:
- Nearly one in four ICBs reported having no designated MSK lead.
- Almost one in four ICBs were unable to outline their priorities for MSK services.
Given that MSK conditions are a leading cause of years lived with disability and one of the primary reasons for long-term work absence, these gaps in leadership and prioritisation are concerning. MSK services cut across multiple areas of care—primary, community, and several secondary care specialties—and represent a significant portion of NHS spending. Despite this, the report reveals that many ICBs are not giving MSK the attention it requires to comply with their statutory duties.
The report recommends that any ICB that has not explicitly discussed MSK services at a Board meeting in the past year should do so immediately and serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of integrating MSK health into the strategic planning of every ICB. With the right focus and leadership, ICBs can significantly improve the quality and accessibility of MSK services, ultimately benefiting the millions of people across England living with an MSK condition.