CONCERNS have been raised that physiotherapy outreach services in Tynedale will be scrapped when a private company starts delivering the treatment alongside the NHS.
NHS Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) confirmed this week that Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust had partnered with Connect Health to deliver the musculoskeletal (MSK) and pain service, following a procurement process.
But a local resident, who did not wish to be named, said that outreach services, which are held in areas including Bellingham, Allendale and Prudhoe, would be dropped as a result of the new contract.
A spokeswoman for the CCG said: “The new service will result in some changes to where treatment is delivered.
“However, it will ensure all patients across the county have equal access to high quality NHS services.
“The current community MSK services are not available to all Northumberland patients and, where they are, there are different models of care.”
She said the new service would be called Joint Musculoskeletal and Pain Service (JMAPS) and was planned to be up and running by July this year.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here