Rapid Access Physiotherapy: Reducing Musculoskeletal Sickness Absence

In 2010 Five Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust was reported to have an absence rate of nearly 7%, with musculoskeletal sickness absence accounting for 17% of this.A new physiotherapy manager reviewed the existing physiotherapy service at the Trust in the last quarter of 2010 and implemented a number of changes in 2011 in order to improve the service. The new system was based on the principles of rapid access and the results have been extremely positive.