New NHS treatment plan for sufferers of back pain

People with back, joint and muscle issues living in areas with the highest waiting lists for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are set to be treated quicker after a funding boost was announced by the government.

It said £3.5m will be shared between 17 NHS areas to trial new ways of treating MSK conditions.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough integrated care board (ICB), Norfolk and Waveney ICB and Northamptonshire ICB are among the areas which will benefit from up to £300,000 each.

The government said 646,000 people are off work with MSK conditions.

The funding for the scheme will form part of the government's 'Plan for Change' proposals.

Alison McGovern, the minister for employment, said: "For too long people locked out of work with health issues have been forgotten about and denied the support they need to get well and get working.

"It's stifling our economy and preventing those eager to progress in life from unleashing their full potential.

"This multi-million-pound funding boost means MSK patients across the country will get the help they need, as we give clinical leaders the resources to innovate, get people off waiting lists and get Britain working again."

Waiting lists for MSK community services are the highest of all community waits in England, at 348,799 people in September 2024.

The government said about 23.4m working days in the UK were lost due to MSK conditions in 2022 alone.

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