Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICS and Strata Health UK Forge Digital Partnership to Improve Musculoskeletal Referrals 

18 March 2024

In an exciting collaboration, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care System (ICS) have joined forces with Strata Health UK to enhance patient referral pathways. Leveraging the Strata Health platform, this collaboration aims to streamline the assessment, triage, and treatment processes for musculoskeletal conditions. 

Over the past months, Strata Health has worked together with the Musculoskeletal Service Shropshire and Telford (MSST) team to review and redefine the patient flow processes within the Musculoskeletal Service. The primary goal has been to transition from manual methods to a more efficient, digitally-enabled workflow, supported by Strata Health’s technology. 

Acknowledging the significant challenge of managing a high volume of referrals, Richard Fallows, MSK Transformation Clinical Lead at Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICS identified the need to streamline their musculoskeletal intake process, stating, “The MSK intake has such a large aperture; we must find a way to streamline the process and ensure the correct care pathways for patients.” 

In the Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin region, MSST handles a staggering 50,000+ referrals each year, translating to over 600+ days (4,000+ hours) of triage. To overcome this challenge, the partnership aims to introduce a digitally supported triage system, including algorithms and reactive AI, to guide frontline staff, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure accurate referrals from the outset. 

When triaged correctly, only 18% of patients require an initial hospital appointment. The majority are better suited for community care, prompting a shift that not only optimises patient outcomes but also eases the strain on hospital resources. 

The historical GP-to-MSST flow via eRS referrals is undergoing a transformative redesign. The vision is to introduce advanced triage tools and seamlessly integrate the pathway with systems like Rio. This integration is expected to reduce administrative burdens, enhance overall efficiencies, and support a best-of-breed system flow. Strata Health’s technology is being leveraged to assist clinicians in decision-making, incorporating Robotic Process Automation (RPA) where applicable. 

“We are proud to be collaborating with MSST to redefine the future of musculoskeletal services in Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin,” said Clint Schick, Chief Executive at Strata Health UK. “Our digital solutions promise to optimise patient care, enhance outcomes, and usher in a new era of efficiency for care coordinators.” 

Stay tuned for more exciting developments! For additional information, reach out to us at Strata Health.