MCATS services are led by Extended Scope Physiotherapists (ESP’s) who are physiotherapists working at a high level of expertise and have extended their practice and skills in musculoskeletal medicine. ESP’s provide a high degree of skill in assessing patients and have advanced clinical reasoning skills.


What's involved?

Typically, a range of investigations can be ordered to help with the diagnosis and management of a patient. These investigations can include Blood tests, X-rays, MRI scans, Ultrasound scans and some other selected tests. The clinicians are able to act on the findings of these tests and will invariably have close working relationships with Radiology and other Secondary Care colleagues.

Within the MCATS clinics a range of peripheral joint injections can also be administered as a first line treatment option. This provides an additional level of access to this modality of treatment without the need to make a referral into secondary care.

ESP’s have a broad knowledge of both the conservative and surgical options that may benefit a patient in the management of their condition. This enables them to have a wide ranging discussion with the patient to help inform and advise them of the available options, most appropriate next step in their treatment, and likely outcomes.


Patients who are referred to Secondary Care are generally worked up so that the consultants are better able to work through the options with the patient at the Initial Outpatients appointment.

Patients tend to have fewer follow-up appointments and significantly higher conversion rates to surgery if they have attended an MCATS service before being seen in Secondary Care.

Patients and GP’s have demonstrated high levels of satisfaction with MCATS services across all variables measured.


OUR OTHER SERVICES

We deliver a range of NHS Physical (Musculoskeletal) Health services

Group Exercise Classes

Recovering from injury often requires a real commitment from patients. Group Exercise Classes are small rehabilitation groups that are specifically designed to deal with common injuries or conditions that patients experience.

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Physio Direct

Telephone Triage is rapid access to a telephone advice service, operated remotely by specially-trained Chartered Physiotherapists. It is available to patients 52 weeks a year, including evenings.

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Physiotherapy Services

Physiotherapy is a therapeutic health profession concerned with improving the way you move and enhancing your quality of life, by giving you the most suitable treatment for an injury or condition.

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Health and Wellbeing Programs

Our health and wellbeing programme is divided into three sections to address the three aspects of health and wellbeing (physical, psychological and social wellbeing).

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Podiatry

Podiatry, also known as Chiropody, is a health profession that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of medical and surgical conditions that occur in the feet and lower legs.


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