From 1 July 2019, patients in Northumberland with musculoskeletal conditions or persistent pain can access a new service. The Northumberland Joint Musculoskeletal and Pain Service is a partnership between Northumbria Healthcare and Connect Health.

If you are experiencing musculoskeletal aches and pains or persistent pain, the Northumberland Joint Musculoskeletal and Pain Service (JMAPS) can help you manage your condition.Specialist staff including musculoskeletal physiotherapists, clinical psychologists, specialist nurses and rehabilitation therapists can assess, advise and support you to manage your condition with the aim of improving your health and wellbeing.

How do I get referred?

This service is for patients aged 16 or over.

• You can self-refer into the service. Please call 03301 244 652. A member of our team will take your details and book you into a telephone assessment appointment with a chartered physiotherapist.

• Your GP will need to refer you into the service if you have a condition that requires specialist assessment or you have a persistent pain condition that requires assessment in the living well with pain service.

How will my condition be managed?

For patients with persistent pain, you will be offered advice and support on pain management and lifestyle choices.

If you have musculoskeletal aches and pains you might be given information to enable to you to manage your condition or you may require a face-to-face appointment with a physiotherapist or advanced physiotherapy practitioner.

Your care plan will vary depending on your condition but this may include self-care advice, exercise therapy (rehabilitation programmes), manual therapy, soft tissue and joint injection therapy and appropriate pain management strategies.

Where will I be seen?

For patients with persistent pain, you will be offered advice and support on pain management and lifestyle choices.

If you have musculoskeletal aches and pains you might be given information to enable to you to manage your condition or you may require a face-to-face appointment with a physiotherapist or advanced physiotherapy practitioner.

Your care plan will vary depending on your condition but this may include self-care advice, exercise therapy (rehabilitation programmes), manual therapy, soft tissue and joint injection therapy and appropriate pain management strategies.

How do I change my Appointment?

If you need to re-arrange it or cancel your appointment please let us know at least 48 hours before your appointment. This allows us to offer it to someone else.

If you fail to attend an appointment without notifying the service then you will have 5 days to contact the service to rebook your appointment. If you fail to contact the service within 5 days following the missed appointment then this will result in discharge from the service. You will require a GP referral to re-access the service.

What happens if I need to be referred to another service?

If you need to be referred from the Northumberland Joint Musculoskeletal and Pain Service to a specialist in a hospital, we will arrange this for you and discuss with you your preference of where you wish to be seen for your treatment

If you need to get in touch regarding your care please contact: 03301 244 652

For more information visit the website by clicking here