What we do
Musculoskeletal is a term meaning 'muscles' and the 'skeleton'.
We are often known as MSK (Musculoskeletal) or Physio (Physiotherapy).
Our service is known as the Integrated MSK, Pain and Rheumatology Service (IMPReS)
Prior to Sept 2015 our service was known as the Pennine-Lancashire Integrated Musculoskeletal Service (PLIMS)
A musculoskeletal problem may relate to a variety of symptoms or conditions arising from muscles, bones, joints, nerves, tendons or ligaments. Common conditions treated are neck and back pain, osteoarthritis and sports injuries.
On this web site you will find information about some of our first line management / self-help guides - patient information and exercise leaflets and options for a variety of conditions, including video clips of exercises and helpful links to external websites.
We welcome patient feedback and undertake a regular patient satisfaction survey.
Services we offer
- Information
- Advice
- Highly skilled and fully supported staff
- (MDT) Multi disciplinary team approach
- Education
- Exercises
- Injections including joint & soft tissue / Bursa / Autologous blood / Caudal epidural
- Splints
- Insoles
- Bespoke Orthotics
- Rehabilitation
- Pain Management advice
- Extended Hours
- Spinal Clinic
- Shoulder Classes
- Spinal Advice Sessions
- Referral on to specialist services such as Orthopaedics, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pain Management, Rheumatology, Healthy Lifestyles and Orthotics
- Referral for Diagnostic tests such as X-ray, Blood Tests, MRI, CT and Nerve Conduction studies
Spinal Clinic
Our Spinal Clinic is for:
Advice on self-management of spinal pain for those aged 16 years and over.
If required, assessment and management of neck, mid-back or lower-back pain which may include pain radiating to the arm or leg.
To find out more click here.
The Team
The Integrated Musculoskeletal, Pain and Rheumatology Service team comprises of highly skilled and professional clinical staff.
The clinical team are fully supported by
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Management team
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Administration and reception team
As a musculoskeletal team we aim to:
- Provide an accessible, timely and high-quality patient-centred service
- You will be treated by a clinician who will complete a comprehensive assessment of your condition. They will provide you with an opinion on your diagnosis and formulate a management plan.
- Keep you fully informed of what is happening at all times to enable you to make informed and supported choices
- Provide you with a high standard of care based on current recommendations and protocols
- Make your visit to our service as relaxed and as dignified as possible
The medical team
You may be seen by any member of our team depending on your problem.
Specialist doctors - GPwSI
(General Practitioners with a Special Interest in Musculoskeletal Medicine) These are very experienced specialist doctors, who have gained extra qualifications and experience in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients with a musculoskeletal condition that my otherwise have been referred directly to a hospital consultant.
Physiotherapists - ESP (Band 8a)
(Extended Scope Physiotherapist Practitioners) These are very experienced Chartered Physiotherapists, who have gained extra qualifications within the field of musculoskeletal conditions. They specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and management of joint and soft tissue problems.
Podiatrists - ESP - (Band 8a)
(Extended Scope Podiatrist Practitioner) - Foot and Ankle. These are very experienced podiatrists, who have gained extra qualifications and training to assess, diagnose and treat conditions which affect the way the foot functions and effect your posture and walking.
Physiotherapists (Band 5 - 7)
These are all Chartered Physiotherapists who can assess, diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions. A physiotherapist is someone who helps to restore normal function and movement when a person is affected by injury, illness or disability. This is done through movement and exercise, manual therapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, education and advice.
Physiotherapy Assistants
Physiotherapy assistants work alongside qualified physiotherapists to assist patients in the restoration of movement and function. They provide individual and group exercise and issue instructions in the safe use of mobility aids.
How to access the service
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GPs - please refer patients through the Single Point of Access using the eReferral system or direct your patients to attend one of the Spinal clinic.
Click here for a printable version of the Single Point of Access Referral FormClick here for a printable version of the Spinal Clinic locations, dates and times
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Other Health Professionals - please contact our advice telephone line - Tel: 01254 736041 or email elmsk@nhs.net - for guidance and advice for referrals.
- Patients - please discuss with your GP or other Health Professional if an appointment with our service is required; and they will guide you through the referral / appointment process.
Service Lead and Key Staff
Service Lead
Joanne Lishman
Key staff
Dr Tony Mitchell - Clinical Lead and GP with Special Interest (GPwSI)
Stephen Hoyle - Service Manager
For GPs and other health professionals we also offer:
- General Practitioner (GP) training posts
- Student placements
- GP education and training events
Where to find us
The Integrated Musculoskeletal Service holds clinics at different locations accross East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen. Accrington, Bacup, Blackburn, Burnley, Clitheroe, Darwen, Nelson, Rossendale.
For a full list of where our services are offered click here.
General enquiries
For all general enquiries please contact the Integrated Musculoskeletal Service on:
Accrington - 01254 736085 (Answer phone available outside of working hours)
Email for all general enquiries - elmsk@nhs.net
Fax - 01254 397784
Click on the link for Details of all our clinic sites (phone numbers and addresses)
GP Advice Line:
For all General Practitioner (GP) clinical/medical enquiries please contact the GP Advice Line on 01254 736041
What is the GP advice line?
To make it easier for GPs to contact us, and to help support the care of your patients, we have set up a dedicated telephone advice line.
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This is for clinical queries and we will endeavour to provide a response within 24 hours.
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The telephone will be manned by a member of our administrative team who will re-direct your query to the most appropriate clinician.
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A member of the clinical team either a GPwSI or Extended Scope Practitioner will handle your query.
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This telephone line is not one of our reception numbers and is therefore free to receive incoming calls allowing your enquiry to be dealt with quickly and efficiently.
Tel - 01254 736041
Mon - Fri 8.30am - 4.30pm
Closed weekends, bank and public holidays
Alternatively you can contact us by email.
Email: elmsk@nhs.net
Opening times
Our core hours are 8.30am - 4pm Monday to Friday. We are closed weekends, bank and public holidays
Exercise videos
We have a whole series of exercise videos that can help you with various musculoskeletal problems.
Disclaimer / Copyright:
"These videos are professionally created and the property of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust and should not be used or copied without Connect2Physio’s permission. These exercises should not be used without prior consultation with a medical professional as the use of the wrong exercise may cause additional health related issues and discomfort."
Self Help Guides - 1st Line Management - Patient Information Leaflets
This section contains patient information and exercise leaflets for the first line management of common conditions affecting the lower limb, upper limb and spine.
Lower Limb this includes hip, groin, knee, foot and ankle
Upper Limb this includes the shoulder (Leaflets for elbow, hand and wrist will be available soon)
Spine this includes neck, upper back, lower back (with or without associated limb pain)
Click on any of the words/links (in blue) to view the information and exercise leaflets.
Additional patient information - for example Islam and exercise
For GPs / Health Professionals click here for a printable one page information sheet which informs on how to find the Self Help Guides / Patient Information Leaflets on our website and a list of which leaflets are available on-line.
Spinal Leaflets
To view the recent NICE (National Institute of Health Care Excellence) Nov 2016 - NG59 Guidance on Low Back Pain and BMJ (British Medical Journal) info graphic click here
Upper Limb Leaflets
4- Contracted (Frozen) Shoulder
5- Osteoarthritis (inflammation) of the Shoulder
6 - Shoulder Impingement (Pinching) Syndrome
Lower Limb Leaflets
10 - Plantar Fascitis (sole of foot heel pain)
11 - Osteoarthritis of the Knee
12 - Anterior Knee Pain (front of knee)
STarT Back Information
Below is information and resources that we hope GPs will find helpful when using the Keele STarT Back Screening Tool.
Link to The Keele University Website - STarT Back - general information
Up and Active and Healthy Lifestyles Teams
The 'Up and Active' and' Healthy Lifestyles' teams operate across East Lancashire.
They all run a variety of Exercise Referral Schemes offering a wide range of activities and classes suitable for all ages and abilities.
Sessions are supported by specialist instructors who will be able to guide and support you through your chosen programme and work towards a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Please contact your nearest Up and Active or Healthy Lifestyle team to find out what they can offer you.
- For Hyndburn, Accrington, Pendle, Nelson, Rossendale, Ribble Valley and Burnley contact 'Up and Active'
- Website: www.upandactive.co.uk or click on the link Up and Active
- For Blackburn contact 'Refresh'
- Website: www.refreshbwd.com/service/healthy-living-service/ or click on the link Blackburn with Darwen 'Refresh'
NICE Guidelines
NICE is the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence - which provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care.
Website: www.nice.org.uk
Low Back Pain - Information Nov 2016
To view the Nov 2016 Low Back Pain and Sciatica Management NG59 published by NICE (National Institute for Health Care Excellence)
Please click on this link: NICE Guidance NG59 - Nov 2016 - Low Back Pain
British Medical Journal - For Health Professional / GP information only
To view the recent infographic from the BMJ (British Medical Journal) illustrating NICE Guidance NG59 - Low Back Pain please click on this link: BMJ Visual Summary of Low Back Pain NICE Guidance NG59
