The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a landmark initiative to speed up treatment for those suffering back, joint, and muscle issues amid lengthy waits for care. The move is part of the Government’s ambitious ‘Get Britain Working’ white paper, aimed at rapidly returning individuals to employment.
Recent figures show that over 1.1 million people across England and Wales receive up to £737.20 monthly in Personal Independence Payments (PIP) to help with musculoskeletal conditions. To tackle high levels of economic inactivity, meaning people out of work and not seeking employment, a £3.5 million pot will be shared by 17 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England, focusing on boosting MSK services.
Each area in England and Wales stands to get a maximum of £300,000, directly addressing a key contributor to economic inactivity, reports the Daily Record.
These efforts align with the Labour Government’s commitment to a Plan for Change, aiming to “put more money into people’s pockets and get the NHS back on its feet”.
The revolutionary MSK Community Delivery Programme is set to transform the treatment of musculoskeletal patients through NHS England’s trailblazing Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) scheme. In a bid to cut waiting times and hasten returns to the workplace, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are being equipped with state-of-the-art strategies and directions.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Employment Minister Alison McGovern MP stated: “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.”
Adding to this, she proclaimed: “This multi-million-pound funding boost means musculoskeletal patients across the country will get the help they need, as we give clinical leaders the resources to innovate, get people off waiting lists and get Britain working again.”
Nearly 2.8 million Brits are currently sidelined from the workforce due to lingering health woes, with MSK conditions ranking close behind mental health issues, according to the government. A staggering 23%—around 646,000 individuals—cite MSK as their primary health issue.
As of September 2024, England grapples with unprecedented delays for community MSK services, with waitlists ballooning to 348,799 patients. Moreover, these ailments were to blame for an estimated 23.4 million lost workdays within the UK throughout 2022.
Minister for Public Health and Prevention Andrew Gwynne recently highlighted the significance of addressing musculoskeletal health early on, stating: “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 also pointed out the government’s commitment, saying: “Through the Plan for Change, the government is taking decisive action to drive down waiting lists, improve treatment options and boost the economy.”
The initiative is set into motion across various Integrated Care Board (ICB) regions, aligning with NHS England’s ‘Further Faster’ scheme and the freshly revealed WorkWell programme by the UK Government.
Versus Arthritis Chief Executive Deborah Alsina MBE offered her insights into the extent of the issue by remarking: “With over 20 million people living with musculoskeletal conditions, including 10 million with arthritis, Versus Arthritis understands the devastating impact these conditions can have on working lives.”
She further detailed the challenges faced by those affected, saying: “Arthritis can cause debilitating pain, joint stiffness and prevent people doing everyday tasks, with work sometimes made to feel an impossible challenge.”
She added: “MSK Community Services can be an invaluable resource for people with arthritis, and we are delighted to see the launch of this programme in dedicated sites across England, and in the future across the whole country.”
The Government has introduced the ambitious Get Britain Working White Paper last November, a landmark revision aimed at revamping employment support like never before. It seeks to merge skills development and health-based support to enhance job prospects and career growth.
In preparation for the Spring Statement on March 26, a consultation regarding proposed welfare reforms will be published.
