New clinic launched in Coventry to take care into the community for patients with muscle and joint pain

A pilot clinic at a leisure centre in Bell Green, Coventry has opened to improve access to treatment and support for patients with Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and reduce waiting times.

Physiotherapists from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust Musculoskeletal MSK) team will be stationed at the Centre AT7 leisure centre in partnership with fitness instructors from CVLife, working together to refer patients into exercise programmes and/or treatment options where appropriate.

MSK conditions account for up to 30% of all GP consultations.

So far over 20 patients have been seen, with individuals praising the service in terms of accessibility, ease of parking, easy access to the gym as part of treatment and other features of the wider leisure centre.

Bell Green currently has the highest number of referrals for MSK conditions in the whole of Coventry, patients currently on our waiting lists residing in this area will be invited to book onto sessions at the clinic and access help on their doorstep.

Therapy Team Leader, George McNamee said: “This is an exciting new approach to providing musculoskeletal care to people in Coventry, working in collaboration with our strategic partners at CV life.

“This pilot aims to provide people with musculoskeletal conditions better access to joined up care within their neighbourhoods (at the Centre AT7).

“This initiative supports the NHS shift to towards an individualised model of care that focusses on prevention and long-term management aiming to empower individuals to adopt sustainable healthy lifestyle behaviours as set out in the recent Ten Year Plan”.

“By integrating clinical care with our existing health and fitness facilities, we’re creating a seamless pathway from treatment to rehabilitation and long-term wellbeing. It’s a positive step towards a healthier, more active Coventry.”

This pilot centre will be reviewed over a six month period, and if successful – similar clinics will be rolled out to other areas of Coventry.

Chris Panter, Head of Health and Wellbeing at CVLife said: “We’re delighted to launch an MSK Physiotherapy clinic in partnership with UHCW.

“This collaboration brings vital healthcare services closer to the heart of our community, making expert physiotherapy more accessible, to reduce waiting times and support faster recovery for patients.

Pictured left to right: Chris Panter (Head of Health and Wellbeing CVLife), Joanna Jephcott (Customer Service Advisor CVLife), George McNamee (Therapy Team Leader UHCW), Gladness Manecka (Healthy Lifestyles Programme Instructor), Harj Kundra (Fitness Instructor CVLife), Victoria Roberts (Physiotherapist UHCW), Simon Blay (Health and Fitness Operations Manager CVLife)