New research finds giving chiropractors same status as physiotherapists and osteopaths could dramatically cut NHS waiting lists by over 100,000 appointments and boost UK productivity by an estimated £400 million per year.
The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) released a report recently, examining how integrating chiropractors into NHS musculoskeletal (MSK) pathways can help reduce waiting times, improve patient outcomes, and deliver significant productivity gains for the UK workforce. In this blog, we take a more detailed look at the impact MSK conditions have, not only on the lives of those suffering with them, but also on the NHS. Plus, Bristol Back Pain Clinic chiropractor, Harry Kauntze lends his support to the BCA campaign with an interview on ITV News (clip below).
The impact of MSK conditions
Musculoskeletal conditions, including back pain, arthritis, and repetitive strain injuries, are among the leading causes of workplace absences in the UK, with over 30 million working days lost each year due to MSK-related issues. In addition, up to 30% of all GP consultations in England relate to MSK conditions.
However, the NHS is currently facing a significant backlog for MSK treatment, with the average wait time for physiotherapy at 11 weeks, and some areas experiencing waits of up to 24 weeks. Delays in care lead to longer absences from work and increased treatment costs. Moreover, workers who are unable to access treatment may return to work at reduced capacity, further impacting productivity.
How chiropractic can help
New research from York Health Economics Consortium (YHEC) and the British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has found that granting chiropractors the same status as physiotherapists and osteopaths in the NHS could deliver hundreds of thousands of additional musculoskeletal (MSK) appointments per year, slashing current waiting times in the midst of an MSK crisis. The analysis estimates that over 100,000 more patients could be seen with the help of chiropractic care such as joint, bone and muscular pain. In doing so, YHEC estimate the annual economic benefits to the UK economy would be £400 million, over £1.5 billion across the duration of this Parliament.
Qualified to help
Chiropractors are qualified and regulated healthcare professionals requiring a minimum four-year Master’s degree and regulated by the independent General Chiropractic Council (GCC) – a statutory body established by, and accountable to, Parliament. Furthermore, chiropractic care is recognised within the World Health Organisation’s guidance for treatment of lower back pain, and the profession is recognised as an integral part of an MSK response in many other countries such as the US, Canada and Denmark. Despite this, in the UK they are not included in the Allied Health Profession (AHP) status list which includes physiotherapy and osteopathy. This means NHS patients are not referred to chiropractic despite research showing this could both improve patient outcomes and speed of care.
As such, the BCA is calling on the Government to recognise the value of their profession and officially recognise chiropractors as Allied Healthcare Professionals (AHP), so that they may play their part of a coordinated approach to address MSK waiting times.
What the BCA says
Tim Button, President of the BCA adds “This landmark report not only lays bare the extent of the crisis we currently face in primary care but shows just how vital chiropractic is as a ready to go resource embedded in communities up and down the country. Fully recognising the sector’s contribution to treating MSK conditions quickly and reliably will help thousands of NHS patients off waiting lists, grant the NHS the additional capacity it so desperately needs, and help people get back to work. And in doing so, save the UK economy over £1.5 billion in lost employee working hours over this Parliament. GP surgeries are needlessly overrun with MSK appointments when our community is ready to help beat the backlogs and get patients back to good health and back to work. We are calling on the Government and NHS to recognise our profession as Allied Health Practitioners and stand ready to work with Government and NHS to support those across the country to receive safe and fast access to treatment.”
Bristol Back Pain Clinic gets involved
As part of the BCA’s campaign to promote the findings of the report, BCA member and Bristol Back Pain Clinic chiropractor, Harry Kauntze was interviewed by ITV News alongside the president of the BCA about how unlocking the potential of chiropractic care could be the missing link in addressing the MSK crisis.
Support the campaign
The BCA feels that by integrating chiropractors into the NHS MSK strategy, we can help patients access effective care sooner – without adding to the pressure on GPs and hospitals. If you agree and want to lend your voice to the campaign, please use the Get in Touch form below to request a template letter to send to your local MP.