Self-referral for physiotherapy would mean faster treatment for people with arthritis and back pain and less expense for the NHS – new report

Physiotherapists should become the first point of contact for people with back pain and other musculoskeletal problems, says a new report from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
Self-referral for physiotherapy could lead to better outcomes for patients, free up time for GPs and save millions for the cash-strapped NHS.
Only 31% of clinical commissioning group areas in England allow people to refer themselves for physiotherapy so they have to see their GP first. The situation is different elsewhere. In Scotland, 86% of boards have full self-referral, as do 63% in Wales.
Self-referral would mean that people with arthritis would get the treatment they need faster which could ultimately lead to fewer hospital admissions.
Taking into account that around 30% of GP consultations are for musculoskeletal conditions, it is believed that self-referral could free up over 100 million GP appointments a year in England, and save hundreds of millions of pounds for the NHS.
“It makes little sense for patients to see a GP when the physiotherapist they are likely to be referred to could assess and diagnose them in the first instance,” says Prof Karen Middleton, chief executive of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. “Offering that direct access allows for an earlier assessment and ensures patients with the most urgent needs are treated sooner and more effectively.”

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