Esther McVey MP, Member of Parliament for Tatton, visited her local chiropractic clinic and small business Bespoke Chiropractic in Knutsford to see firsthand how private practitioners are stepping up to provide timely musculoskeletal (MSK) care for local residents amid soaring NHS waiting times.
With the MSK crisis back on the rise, thousands more working days could be lost. Already, 30 million ill-health related sick days are taken in the UK every year, with MSK conditions the second most likely cause after mental health.
Ms McVey, former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions commits to supporting chiropractors to utilise their expertise and ensure patients in Tatton and across the UK have equal access to treatment options.
Esther McVey MP commented:
“Getting people back to work, staying healthy, and reducing waiting times must be a priority. During my time as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, I saw firsthand the impact that musculoskeletal issues have on people’s health and livelihoods. Clinics like Bespoke Chiropractic in Tatton are demonstrating why we need all community recourses, public and private, to come together to boost local productivity, give individuals control over their treatment options, and improve lives.”
The visit to Bespoke Chiropractic, owned by Guy Whitefoot, comes as new ONS data reveals that there are almost 24,000 patients on the MSK waiting list in Cheshire and Merseyside alone.
Of these, over 15,000 individuals are waiting more than 4 weeks to be seen, with many unable to work, manage pain, or lead normal lives while they wait.
In stark contrast, local chiropractors can often see patients within 1 to 2 weeks.
Chiropractors like Guy state they want to support their communities, to provide that much-needed extra resource to reduce the pressure on the NHS.
During the visit, Ms McVey discussed the role of chiropractors in relieving pressure on the NHS and helping people return to work sooner. McVey heard of countless times where local chiropractors including Guy, have seen patients come to them having been unable to see a public healthcare provider. However, with chiropractors unable to support the NHS, many individuals struggling with MSK issues are unable to seek this treatment.
The British Chiropractic Association (BCA), the largest representative organisation on chiropractors in England are calling for the list of Allied Health Professions (AHP) to include chiropractors, to break down barriers for integration to ensure patient choice and access to timely treatment.
The visit follows new research from health economic experts at York Health Economics Consortium, which found that better integration of chiropractors into NHS MSK pathways could save the UK economy £400 million per year in lost productivity and cut NHS waiting lists by 100,000 appointments annually.
Guy Whitefoot, chiropractor and owner of Bespoke Chiropractic, said:
“We’re proud to be supporting our community here in Knutsford. With NHS services stretched, we want to support our public sector colleagues and ensure patients are seen quickly so that they can return to living healthy lives.
Musculoskeletal issues can be devastating for people’s ability to work and live comfortably, and it is immensely concerning that the number of those suffering with MSK conditions is rising. We must all work together if we are to address this crisis effectively.”
As Tatton continues to face growing demand for healthcare services, partnerships between public and private providers are becoming increasingly crucial. Ms McVey pledged to take the findings of her visit back to Parliament to inform discussions on health and employment policy.
About Bespoke Chiropractic:
Bespoke Chiropractic, based in Knutsford, offers expert musculoskeletal care with a focus on helping people recover from injury and manage pain effectively. The clinic is led by Guy Whitefoot, an experienced chiropractor with a passion for community-based care.