New local health service launched for Lincolnshire patients

Company news

Aug 13, 2010

Independent healthcare provider Care UK has been commissioned by NHS Lincolnshire to run the clinics, called Lincolnshire Intermediate Musco-Skeletal Service (LIMSS), in nine locations across Lincolnshire including Gainsborough, Skegness, Grantham, Sleaford, Bourne, Boston, Louth, Lincoln and Spalding.

LIMSS opened on 30th June, and is designed to reduce patient waiting times and bring healthcare into the county’s local communities, making it easier for people to access. Patients will be referred through their GP and will be seen by a consultant led team of physiotherapists, usually within 14 days of the initial referral.

There will be six local clinics which will be able to assess and treat a number of different ailments including elbow, knee and back pain, groin and hip injuries, whiplash and carpal tunnel syndrome.

 Kogie Naidoo, LIMSS General Manager

Three central clinics in Lincoln, Louth and Spalding will offer the same service as the local clinics plus a wider range of services, including on-site diagnostics with x-ray, ultrasound and MRI scanning, “on the spot” physiotherapy and immediate non-surgical treatments.

Spokesperson for Care UK in Lincolnshire, Kogie Naidoo, General Manager, said: "I’m proud to be managing this new service as I know it will greatly improve access for local patients and will ensure faster diagnosis and treatment for people with musculoskeletal conditions across Lincolnshire, in easily accessible clinics.

“Our highly trained team of consultants and specialists offer the very highest clinical standards and will provide a personal service to patients including professional assessment and treatment as well as offering motivational lifestyle advice.“

“Patients will be able to choose a clinic which is closest to them or at a time which is most convenient for them.  Clinics will operate on a rota but generally services will be available from different locations Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm with Boston offering an evening clinic on a Thursday and Gainsborough and Louth offering a clinic on Saturday mornings.  The three central clinics which offer diagnostic services will also offer MRI appointments until 8pm in the evenings providing patients the option to be seen outside normal business hours.”

 Kogie Naidoo and some of the team at LIMSS

Dr Martin McShane, director of strategic planning for NHS Lincolnshire also commented: “By introducing this innovative service across Lincolnshire, which was designed by GP Practice Based Commissioning Clusters, we are confident that patients will benefit from faster diagnosis and treatment. With strong links with existing services and facilities, more patients will receive appropriate and timely onward care for musculoskeletal conditions.”

For further information on the service visit www.lincolnshire-limss.nhs.uk

ENDS

For more information about the new Lincolnshire Intermediate Musculo-Skeletal Service (LIMSS), please contact James Crawford, Sarah Shimwell or Steve Leigh on 0161 235 0316, or email careuk@citypress.co.uk

For information about Care UK’s other services, please contact Sheila Roberts, Group Communications Manager on 01206 547212 or email Sheila.roberts@careuk.com