The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled a new initiative aimed at speeding up treatment for individuals with back, joint and muscle problems in regions with the longest waiting times. This move is part of the ‘Get Britain Working’ white paper, designed to reintegrate people into the workforce.
Latest statistics reveal that, as of the end of October, more than 1.1 million people across England and Wales were receiving up to £737.20 monthly through Personal Independence Payments (PIP) to assist with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. To combat economic inactivity, where individuals are neither employed nor seeking work, 17 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England will benefit from a slice of a £3.5 million fund to enhance MSK services.
However, these measures will not apply to Scotland. The investment will allocate up to £300,000 to each area in England and Wales, targeting one of the key causes of economic inactivity.
It forms a segment of the Labour Government’s Plan for Change, which aims to “put more money into people’s pockets and get the NHS back on its feet”. The MSK Community Delivery Programme, managed through NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, will provide ICBs with the necessary resources and leadership to devise more effective strategies for treating MSK patients, reducing waiting times, and facilitating their return to employment.
Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern MP, recently highlighted the plight of those unable to work due to health issues: “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.”
She announced a significant funding increase, saying: “This multi-million-pound funding boost means musculoskeletal 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.”
The UK Government has identified that there are 2.8 million people economically inactive because of long-term health conditions, with musculoskeletal (MSK) issues being the second most common reason after mental health. Approximately 646,000 individuals, or about 23%, report MSK as their primary condition, reports the Daily Record.
As of September 2024, waiting lists for MSK community services are the longest among all community waits in England, standing at 348,799 people. The impact on the workforce is substantial, with around 23.4 million working days lost in the UK due to MSK conditions in 2022 alone.
Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, said: “With prevention, early detection and treatment, we know that the 17 million people with musculoskeletal issues in England could better manage their conditions, improving their quality of life and enabling them to rejoin the workforce. Through the Plan for Change, the government is taking decisive action to drive down waiting lists, improve treatment options and boost the economy.”
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis, has praised the launch of a new programme aimed at helping those with musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis. She said: “With over 20 million people living with musculoskeletal conditions, including 10 million with arthritis, Versus Arthritis understands the devastating impact these conditions can have on working lives.
“Arthritis can cause debilitating pain, joint stiffness and prevent people doing everyday tasks, with work sometimes made to feel an impossible challenge. MSK Community Services can be an invaluable resource for people with arthritis, and we are delighted to see the launch of this programme in dedicated sites across England, and in the future across the whole country.”
The Government’s Get Britain Working White Paper, part of the largest reforms to employment support in years, was announced in November, with a consultation on welfare system changes expected in the spring.