PhysioNow, the online tool providing an agile and remote triaging tool for all Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, has extended its pilot to ensure continued access for patients. This will continue to alleviate pressure on the teams at Cwm Taf Morgannwg and Hywel Dda University Health Boards.
As part of the Welsh Government’s COVID-19 Digital Solutions Fund, Connect Health was chosen as one of five projects to rapidly pilot their online PhysioNow tool to help support NHS Wales’ service throughout COVID-19 and beyond. PhysioNow is currently being used by Cwm Taf Morgannwg (CTM) and Hywel Dda (HD) University Health Boards and is receiving positive feedback from patients and clinicians.
Using clinically developed algorithms, PhysioNow allows patients to remotely access care online 24/7.
A pilot patient said:
“I really thought it was helpful and I would definitely use this service again. Very convenient for me. I could access this service while I am away too.”
The online tool fast-tracks users to the appropriate pathway, enabling the right care, at the right time, from the right person, identifying urgent and emergency cases rapidly.
Zoe Brewster, Assistant Head of Physiotherapy at CTM said:
“We’re delighted to have been chosen by the Welsh Government to trial the use of PhysioNow in Wales. This online tool will bring huge benefits for our patients, who will gain fast, easy to access advice and assessment from the comfort of their own homes.”
In addition to providing faster care for patients, the online tool brings benefits to the wider health economy as capacity management is improved. PhysioNow enables patients to self-refer which will reduce GP and other healthcare appointments and frees up capacity within the system to manage non-MSK related conditions.
Zoe, said:
“It is bringing benefits to our team of physiotherapists, providing important information about a patient’s condition before they even set foot in the clinic and helping us to streamline our services and treat those patients most in need.”
Gary Howe, Senior Service Transition Manager at Connect Health said:
“It has been fantastic for Connect Health to work in partnership with the MSK physiotherapy teams in Cwm Taf Morgannwg and Hywel Dda to deliver our 24/7 chatbot PhysioNow. It has been a wonderful opportunity to learn from the teams and see improvements in the patient journey by embedding PhysioNow within local pathways. Feedback from patients across all ages, in both Health Boards, has been excellent in terms of improved convenience, the friends and family test, and ease of use.”
After launching on 21st August more than 340 patients across CTM and HD have accessed the service. The pilot was originally due to last 8 weeks, but with the increase in Coronavirus cases in Wales, coupled with multiple local lockdowns, the pilot has been extended into December. PhysioNow will continue to enable patients to manage their pain or injury with remote support, while allowing CTM and HD to prioritise and treat those patients unable to be treated remotely.
If you are interested in finding out more about the PhysioNow pilot, visit:
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg Direct access to Physiotherapy services, 24/7
- Accessing Physiotherapy in Pembrokeshire
