The Government’s latest announcement on expanding support for people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions signals a welcome recognition of the scale and impact of these issues across the UK. With MSK conditions remaining one of the leading causes of long-term sickness and reduced productivity, the focus on improving access to care closer to home is both necessary and overdue.
The “Getting it Right First Time” pilot highlights encouraging trial results, suggesting that community-based MSK services can play a key role in reducing pressure on hospitals and improving patient outcomes. However, the reality for many people living with chronic pain - particularly conditions such as persistent back pain - remains unchanged. Long waiting times continue to delay access to treatment, often leaving individuals struggling to maintain their independence, remain in work, and manage day-to-day life.
Recent data shows that demand for MSK services is continuing to rise, with community waiting lists increasing significantly over the past year. This growing gap between demand and capacity underscores the need for immediate, practical solutions that can be implemented at scale.
One clear opportunity lies in better utilising the existing regulated MSK workforce already embedded in communities across the country. Chiropractors are well placed to support this ambition - offering safe, effective care and the ability to see patients quickly. With the capacity to deliver tens of thousands of additional appointments annually, the profession represents an underused resource that could help reduce waiting times and support faster recovery.
Tim Button, President of the British Chiropractic Association, said:
“For people living with conditions like chronic back pain, the reality behind this weekend’s ‘Getting it Right First Time’ announcement is that many will still face long waits for treatment; often while living with intense pain that impacts their ability to work, independence and quality of life."
“The Government is right to focus on musculoskeletal (MSK) care closer to home – MSK issues are the second leading cause of people on long term sick leave, so the results from the trials are encouraging, if long overdue. But with community waiting lists rising from 333,000 to over 393,000 in the past year alone (ONS data), much more is needed to meet growing demand.
"One immediate way to expand capacity is to make better use of the existing regulated MSK workforce already present in communities around the country. Chiropractors provide safe, effective care, with the ability to see people quickly and support recovery. The profession has the capacity to deliver at least 100,000 additional appointments each year and could help unlock up to £400 million in productivity gains by helping people get back to work sooner.
"Fully integrating chiropractic into NHS pathways, such as granting AHP Status, would not be a marginal gain. It’s a practical, immediate way to drastically cut MSK wait times and keep people in work. BCA chiropractors are ready to deliver care on a wider scale within our local communities, which falls directly in line with the Government's objectives set out in the '10 Year Health Plan'.”
If the Government is serious about tackling inactivity and supporting people with MSK conditions, it must now move beyond pilot programmes and take decisive action. Integrating chiropractic care more fully into NHS pathways offers a practical, scalable solution - one that can deliver immediate benefits for patients, the workforce, and the wider economy.