More and more of us are living with long-term MSK conditions, putting increasing pressure on our already over-stretched NHS and local services. Is the current model unsustainable? And what does the future of MSK care look like?
These were questions explored in the well-attended 2023 ARMA Annual Lecture. We were delighted to welcome two leading experts in their fields, Adam Lent, Chief Executive of New Local, and Laura Finucane, Consultant Physiotherapist and Clinical Director of Sussex MSK Partnership, who shared their insights with a lively audience.
Adam gave an outline of New Local’s recent report, A Community-Powered NHS, which proposed a radical shift towards a healthcare system focused on preventing illness as much as treating it. Starting with rich descriptions of the current medical system, and real-world examples from the UK and abroad, he went on to advocate for a new model that put people in charge.
Drawing on her in-depth experience of front-line MSK care, Laura considered how this would work at a local level. She explained the need for a holistic approach, taking into consideration the fact that many patients with MSK experience a range of conditions and symptoms.
Treating MSK conditions in isolation can do patients a disservice, without addressing the root causes. There are already many great examples from the MSK community as to how this could work in practice, while this approach could benefit staff as much as patients.
This fascinating discussion implied that we could see a sea-change occurring, but it requires courage on the part of everyone involved. Not surprisingly, there was plenty of interaction from the audience, with many insightful questions as well as participants keen to share their own experience.
We would like to extend a big thank you to Adam, Laura, and event sponsors getUBetter as well as everyone who attended and helped to make this year’s lecture a success.
If you missed the lecture, you can find it here: https://youtu.be/pGTOiu9aaGg