DHSC reveals 13-week wait for physiotherapy

Figures released in Tynwald written answers

There's a 13-week wait for Island residents needing physiotherapy.

The figure has been revealed by the Department of Health and Social Care in this month's Tynwald written answers.

The wait for 'musculoskeletal physiotherapy' is provided across the three sites in Ramsey, Southern and Douglas.

Health and Social Care Minister David Ashford says from now (mid-September) the department will introduce 'additional locum capacity to reduce the waiting times'.

He adds the service has found the key areas where demand on it could be reduced.

Mr Ashford says they are looking to improve the service by: "Increasing the self-care advice on the website, the use of first contact musculoskeletal practitioners within the GP practices and enhancing services in rheumatology and chronic pain services, as part of the wider integration and transformation of health and social care services."