Healthcare Commissioning Forum

In 2007, as a response to many cross service referrals, a need for integrated working for the holistic benefit of the vulnerable children in Stockport and to reduce the paediatric physiotherapy waiting list, Stockport PCT piloted a joint podiatry and physiotherapy clinic.

Implementation

• This change in service delivery needs to be implemented and led at a strategic level involving managers of podiatry and physiotherapy services
• Two sessions per week respectively of a physiotherapist’s time and a podiatrist’s time were focussed on this new service provision • Patients who were selected were the ones in greatest clinical need and who would benefit from joint and holistic assessment
• Discussions were also held with referrers such as GPs, consultants, health visitors, CNAs, and colleagues to establish two way pathways to enable referrals to and from the service when necessary
• Improved liaison with diagnostic services such as imaging established a seamless service for diagnostic tests.

Outcomes

• An audit of 110 random case notes was carried out between October and December 2009 approximately 50% of the Footsteps caseload. The audit included the presenting symptoms, whether it was resolved by the intervention and the intervention given. The following illustrates the results

• Won Stockport PCT innovation award for service 2009

• Reduction in paediatric physiotherapy waiting list from two years to six weeks

• Reduction in the number of appointments for patients who are already attending many such appointments from multiple services

• Increase in skills for both podiatrist and physiotherapist from learning outcomes whilst working jointly which cascades to departmental staff
• A resource for student placement and colleague shadowing.

Cost Benefit

• There were no direct cost savings but a more efficient use of funding resulted in in improved outcomes for the patients

• A significant saving to patients was experienced as they attended far fewer appointments which resulted in lower personal cost and less inconvenience.

For details contact Simon Jones, Podiatrist simon.Jones@nhsstockport.nhs.uk

For more information on NMP prescribing, go to : http://www.scpod.org/easysiteweb/getresource.axd?assetid=26369&type=0&servicetype=1