Over 100 patients with spinal conditions attended a community assessment day aimed at improving ongoing health and wellbeing ahead of future appointments and treatment.
The Spinal Community Assessment Day is a collaborative pilot between The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, the Spinal Clinical Network, Everton in the Community and local community services, aimed at improving patient-centred care for people on the spinal surgery waiting list.
Held at Everton in the Community, patients were offered resources tailored to local needs, with same-day access to assessments, advice, health promotion, rehabilitation, community and voluntary sector support, and help for people whose condition is affecting their employment.
Martin Wilby, consultant neurosurgeon at The Walton Centre, said: “Unfortunately, some patients with spinal conditions are facing longer waits to access specialist services than we would like.
“However, despite being on a surgical waiting list, when a full consultation is carried out, surgery is frequently not considered to be the long-term solution for many spinal conditions.
“The aim of the SCAD is to keep patients well while they wait and encourage them to engage in self-management of their condition and general health and wellbeing where possible. It also provides the opportunity for collaboration between multiple professionals and organisations aiding a greater understanding of services available and points of access.”
The day focused on understanding each individual patient’s needs and providing tailored support, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Each patient’s appointment started with a “What matters to you” conversation to ensure advice and treatment were guided by an in-depth understanding of each patient’s priorities and wishes.
All patients received a patient passport which they, or the professionals they talk to, can complete with a treatment plan, advice, contacts for further support or anything else important for recovery.
Depending on their goals and condition, patients had access to spinal clinical assessments with advanced practitioners or spinal registrars and consultants, MSK physiotherapy and pain management, on-site treatment planning and advice from local teams, public health support and health checks, return to work support, and signposting to local community services.
MSK physiotherapy stands for musculoskeletal physiotherapy, which treats conditions affecting the muscles, bones and joints.
