Community Musculoskeletal (MSK) Service

The community musculoskeletal service (MSK) aims to provide a specialist triage and assessment service for MSK referrals in Barnsley. The service aims to provide the best options for care, ensuring patients are seen by the most appropriate healthcare professional, at the appropriate time and in the appropriate place.

The service provides a high-quality service for adults over the age of 16 who have a spinal, peripheral joint, soft tissue or neuromuscular problem. Children of school age are seen by the children’s therapy services.

The service brings together the previous MSK screening service, MSK assessment and treatment service and musculoskeletal physiotherapy service into one holistic service.

Patients referred to the community MSK service will be assessed by extended scope practitioners, physiotherapists or GPs with a special interest in MSK problems. They will provide advice and, where necessary, investigations to help with diagnosis and management planning. Referrals to either secondary care providers or other primary care therapy services can be made directly from this service. Initial consultations are offered by telephone, video or in person.

Further treatment by the service may include a variety of techniques such as manual therapy, exercise, self-management techniques, advice, posture correction, electrotherapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy and groups eg gym and core stability.

Services Offered

The service provides a range of services to patients:

• Physiotherapy assessment and treatment.
• Appropriate diagnosis.
• Implementation of clinical decisions that result from diagnosis.
• Specialist physiotherapy.
• Injection of joints or soft tissues where required.
• Discharge planning including referral on to other services, patient education/information and self-management plans.

Accessing the service

• Tel: 01226 644858

Base:  Community musculoskeletal service, New Street Health Centre, Upper New Street, Barnsley, S70 1LP

Hours:  Monday and Thursday – 8am to 8pm  /  Tuesday and Wednesday – 8am to 5pm  /  Friday – 7:45am - 3pm

Referral guidelines

Musculoskeletal screening service 2 telephone CAS-Orthopaedics

We also use the following for rheumatology and pain management:

• Musculoskeletal screening service 2(telephone CAS)- rheumatology
• Musculoskeletal screening service 2(telephone CAS)- pain management

Referrals must be made in conjunction with Barnsley CCG criteria for Get Fit First and clinical thresholds.

From 1 April 2018 patients are no longer able to self-refer to physiotherapy directly.  Referrals should be made by GP practices as above. 

Referrals will be triaged within the service and directed to the most appropriate clinic type for the patient based on the information given within the referral.

Referrals will be directed to clinicians within the community MSK service where there are indications that the patient will need conservative management, or where further investigation is required to clarify or inform the diagnosis and management options – these may include appointments with an extended scope practitioner or GPSI.

Patients will be directed to physiotherapists when:

• The condition is one that is best managed by physiotherapy, advice, self-management or where there is no clear indication for surgery.
• Treatment may include individual sessions, exercise classes, hydrotherapy or core stability exercises where appropriate.

Patients will be directed to secondary care (orthopaedics, rheumatology, pain management) where:

• There is a clear or likely indication for surgery.
• There are relevant abnormal blood results listed in the referral letter.
• The condition may require surgery and has previously been managed unsuccessfully by a conservative approach.
• Other red flags are identified.

Who should be referred

Exclusions

• The service does not provide care for people requiring emergency treatment.
• Patients under the age of 16 should refer to children’s therapy services.
• NHS Barnsley CCG has adopted clinical thresholds and a ‘Get fit first’ policy to ensure that patients get the best clinical outcome for their condition. Referrals not meeting this criteria will be rejected back to the practice for further action.

Updated:  February 2025