Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Health and Social Services
Today, I am publishing the Quality Statement for musculoskeletal (MSK) health, which sets out our vision for the development of better musculoskeletal care throughout a person’s life.
Musculoskeletal conditions are the most common cause of long-term pain and physical disability globally and can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. These impacts relate not just to physical function and pain, but they can also impact on a person’s psychological, social and economic well-being. Families and carers of someone living with a musculoskeletal condition also experience the negative impacts of these conditions and can require support.
It is estimated that musculoskeletal conditions affect up to a third of Wales’ population (32%), which is equivalent to 974,000 people. And, with an ageing population with more people suffering from multiple health problems, the number of people with musculoskeletal conditions is expected to grow.
The Quality Statement for musculoskeletal health has been developed in collaboration with the national clinical leads for MSK, with input from the MSK clinical networks, third sector partners, those with lived experience and MSK colleagues across Wales.
Our aim is to improve and protect the musculoskeletal health of the population from an early age, reduce the number of people developing musculoskeletal conditions and to improve the health and wellbeing of people with musculoskeletal conditions.
Following publication, health boards and NHS trusts will be supported to deliver musculoskeletal service improvements by the NHS Executive’s new clinical network arrangements. This will be discharged through the MSK strategic clinical network, in collaboration with other networks and programmes, such as orthopaedics, persistent pain and bone health.
The Quality Statement for musculoskeletal health can be found here.