March 21, 2016
Physios in surgeries ‘can save GPs time and money’
GPs could spend longer with their patients if physiotherapists worked with them at their surgeries, says the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
If patients with back pain, for example, were directed to a physio instead of a GP, an extra five minutes could be spent with other patients. Musculo-skeletal conditions are thought to make up as much as 30% of all GP appointments.
Physiotherapists say that if they could be the first point of contact for patients with these conditions, GPs could dedicate more time to people with other conditions.
Physios are already working in a small number of GP surgeries in England.
During a three-month pilot in West Cheshire, more than 700 patients who would otherwise have seen a GP, were seen by a physiotherapist.
The arrangement is now in place in 36 GP practices in the area. GPs’ leaders welcomed the initiative but said staff would have to be trained to the highest standards.
Physios in surgeries ‘can save GPs time and money’
