Transformation Directorate

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pathway priorities

The MSK Adoption Fund advisory group and members of the Future NHS Best MSK Digital Health Exchange community collaboratively set the priorities for the MSK Adoption Fund 2022/23.

The priority areas for which we invite applications to the MSK Adoption Fund are:

  1. Triage and referral optimisation
  2. Personalised and supported self-management
  3. Supporting people waiting for planned MSK care

These priority areas are also strategically aligned with the national drive to support elective recovery and contribute directly to the planned benefits of the Supporting People at Home and Personalised Outpatient Programme:

  1. Reduction in the number of unnecessary face-to-face appointments in primary care and outpatient settings
  2. Reduction in the number of hospital admissions as a result of scaling remote monitoring in acute and community services supporting specific patient cohorts to manage their condition at home and/or in domiciliary care
  3. Increased capacity in primary and secondary care through improved referral management and quality with primary care (reducing volume requiring attendance)
  4. Increased number of patients able to access outpatient services through patient-initiated follow-up for musculoskeletal and surgical perioperative care
  5. Improved patient experience with more convenient access to advice, diagnosis and treatment
  6. Improved measurable patient experience through patient experience measures (PREMs)
  7. Improved patient care due to an increased ability to deliver seamless care across care settings and providers as a result of multi-disciplinary teams being able to access medical records across clinical settings
  8. Optimise the role of triage services/tier 2 services and the multiprofessional workforce supporting MSK services e.g AARS roles

Applications from interested ICSs open on 4 July and are to be submitted by the closing date of 31 July via email to Adoption.Fund@nhs.net. ICS applicants can apply for up to a maximum of £200,000.

Here are several recommended metrics and benefits resources you may find helpful in preparing your application.:

Draft recommended Primary and community MSK metrics

Innovation Collaborative - Basic Guide to Benefit resources

Innovation Collaborative - Benefits & Health Economics Guidance Documents

NHS England core20PLUS5 health inequalities