NHS Borders has partnered with EQL to roll out Phio, a digital answer for sufferers to realize fast entry to musculoskeletal healthcare, enhancing the well being and high quality of life for these within the area.
The tech partnership has been launched to assist velocity up entry to musculoskeletal (MSK) care within the Borders area, in addition to scale back the demand on GPs and first care providers. It’s hoped that the digital answer will enhance the standard of life for sufferers who’re struggling with again, neck, joint and muscle ache.
Phio was beforehand efficiently rolled out to sufferers within the Highland Well being and Social Care Partnership space, with a major discount in MSK care ready lists in consequence. The brand new partnership marks the primary time that NHS Borders sufferers have been supplied a self-referral facility for MSK points.
Anybody aged over 16 and who’s registered with one of many 23 GP practices within the Scottish Borders, can use Phio to obtain a fast evaluation and be signposted to probably the most appropriate help or remedy.
Sarah Horan, director of nursing, midwifery and AHPs at NHS Borders, mentioned: “In case you are having MSK points, Phio is an effective way to information you to the fitting care in the fitting place, and provide help to handle situations in a well timed, supported manner that fits you.
“Utilizing Phio is solely a affected person’s alternative, nevertheless it does supply some unbelievable advantages along with our present physiotherapy service.”
Sufferers can go surfing to the digital Phio platform and beneath the oversight of EQL’s clinicians and physiotherapists, obtain a complete digital evaluation. This may also be guided in direction of probably the most applicable type of care to help their restoration. Any ‘crimson flag’ signs will end in a advice to entry pressing assist, whereas GP or physiotherapist appointments might be advisable as required.
The platform also can assist help restoration and the profitable self-management of accidents with personalised data and instruments. This consists of train routines, stretches and distant monitoring from a physio or clinician.
Michael Guard, head of medical at EQL, mentioned: “By empowering sufferers to take management of their well being journey, Phio goals to streamline the pathway to MSK care whereas offering well timed help. The choice to make use of Phio rests solely with the affected person. It merely serves as a further avenue for these in search of care.
“Sufferers opting to make use of Phio will present details about their situation. The medical knowledge gathered by way of the web session is reviewed by certified physiotherapists, making certain sufferers obtain applicable care, remedy, and recommendation when wanted to forestall their situation worsening.”
In January final 12 months, Cognitant and Versus Arthritis teamed up to enhance entry to data, recommendation and instruments for sufferers with MSK situations.