The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to launch an innovative fund aimed at assisting individuals with back pain and other musculoskeletal problems in securing employment. According to the DWP, residents suffering from back, joint, and muscle conditions in regions experiencing the longest queues for treatment of musculoskeletal (MSK) ailments will benefit from expedited care and guidance towards gaining employment.
Communities hit hardest by MSK condition wait times are set to receive a boost of up to £300,000 each, as part of the governments Plan for Change strategy, aiming to bolster personal finances and rejuvenate the NHS.
Under the management of NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, the new MSK Community Delivery Programme will empower Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) with the funds and leadership required to improve the efficiency of getting MSK patients treated, off waiting lists, and on track for rejoining the workforce.
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Employment Minister Alison McGovern MP commented on the issue, stating: “For too long people locked out of work with health issues have been forgotten about and denied the support they need to get well and get working. It’s stifling our economy and preventing those eager to progress in life from unleashing their full potential.”
This significant multi-million-pound funding injection is set to ensure musculoskeletal patients across the nation receive the necessary support, as it empowers clinical leaders with the means to innovate, reduce waiting lists and get Britain back to work. With 2.8 million individuals out of work due to long-term health issues, MSK conditions are cited as the second most common cause after mental health, reports Birmingham Live.
Approximately 646,000 people about 1 in 4 (23%) identify MSK as their main health concern.
Minister for Public Health and Prevention Andrew Gwynne commented: “With prevention, early detection and treatment, we know that the 17 million people with musculoskeletal issues in England could better manage their conditions, improving their quality of life and enabling them to rejoin the workforce.”
He further added: “Through the Plan for Change, the government is taking decisive action to drive down waiting lists, improve treatment options and boost the economy.”