Paul Kohler, Member of Parliament for Wimbledon, visited New Malden Health and Performance Clinic to learn more about how local musculoskeletal (MSK) services are operating alongside NHS provision at a time when waiting times remain high across the country.
MSK conditions are a leading cause of work absence in the UK, accounting for around 30 million ill-health-related sick days each year. As the Government continues its NHS recovery and elective reform programmes, there is increasing focus on how care can be delivered efficiently across hospital, community, and primary care settings to improve access for patients.
During the visit, Mr Kohler met clinic owners Nick and Laura Metcalfe and discussed the experiences of patients seeking MSK treatment locally, including the impact of extended waiting times for some NHS services. National and regional data show that elective and community waiting lists remain a significant challenge, highlighting the importance of understanding how different parts of the health system are managing demand and supporting patient care.
The visit comes as figures show more than 14,000 patients are currently on MSK waiting lists across South West London, with over 6,500 waiting longer than 12 weeks to be seen. In Wimbledon, residents have raised concerns about delays in accessing MSK care and the effect this can have on their ability to work and carry out daily activities.
As the Government drives its NHS recovery and elective reform programmes to reduce waiting times and rebuild capacity, community‑based private providers such as chiropractors – that are safe and regulated healthcare professionals recommended by the World Health Organisation and NICE guidelines, argue they must be part of the solution if we are to transition to more care into communities and away from hospitals. The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has said that better coordination between NHS services and regulated community-based providers could help ensure patients are aware of the full range of appropriate care options available to them, without placing the burden on individuals to navigate complex pathways on their own.
Mr Kohler said the visit was an opportunity to hear directly from local practitioners about pressures in MSK care and to better understand how services across the health system can work together to improve timely access to treatment for patients in Wimbledon.
Paul Kohler MP said:
“Getting people back to work, reducing pain and cutting waiting times must be a national priority. Clinics like New Malden Health and Performance Clinic show how public and private services can work together to boost local productivity, expand patient choice and improve lives.”
Mr Kohler heard numerous examples of patients who turned to local chiropractors after being unable to secure timely public sector appointments. The British Chiropractic Association (BCA), the largest representative body for chiropractors in England, is calling for chiropractors to be included on the Allied Health Professions (AHP) list to remove barriers to integration and widen access to timely treatment.
Nick Metcalfe, Owner and chiropractor, said:
“We’re proud to support our Wimbledon community. With NHS services stretched, we want to work alongside public sector colleagues so patients are seen quickly and can return to healthy, productive lives. Musculoskeletal problems can devastate people’s ability to work and live comfortably. We must all work together to tackle this growing crisis.”
As demand for quicker healthcare grows, stronger partnerships between NHS services and local private clinics are essential to deliver the Government’s recovery goals and ensure patients receive timely, effective care.
About New Malden Health and Performance
New Malden Health and Performance Clinic, based in New Malden, provides musculoskeletal assessment and treatment focused on recovery, pain management and return to function. The clinic is run by husband and wife Nick and Laura Metcalfe, experienced chiropractors committed to community‑based care.