£3.5M Boost for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly to Help Residents with Health Conditions Stay in Work

Funding to Tackle Musculoskeletal Issues

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are set to benefit from a share of £3.5 million in funding to address musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, one of the leading causes of long-term sickness absence. The funding, part of the Government’s Plan for Change, aims to support people with MSK conditions to stay in or return to work.

MSK conditions, which affect the back, joints, and muscles, are a major health barrier for many. Nationally, they account for 646,000 people being off work, or about 23% of the 2.8 million individuals on long-term sickness benefits. Locally, over 36,000 working-age residents in Cornwall are economically inactive due to ill health, while another 33,400 manage work-limiting conditions while employed.

WorkWell Builds on Success

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly are already part of the WorkWell programme, which pilots innovative ways to support individuals with health barriers in the workplace. As one of 17 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England receiving the funding, the region will use the additional resources to enhance its MSK services.

Dr Chris Reid, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, highlighted the impact this funding will have:
“We welcome this funding to help patients receive the care they need to manage their conditions, to stay and thrive in work, and to remain independent.

“This adds to our WorkWell service, which provides holistic support to people who are struggling to stay in work due to health conditions, including musculoskeletal pain. Our work locally connects them with social prescribers, uses approved technology to self-manage their condition, and offers group classes to help manage pain.

“We are also developing a community assessment service that can offer injections, joint braces, advice and guidance, and have been running super clinics where patients can meet surgical and physio teams and receive support prior to surgery or be directed to alternative care.”

Government and NHS Leaders Speak Out

Alison McGovern, Minister for Employment, praised the programme’s focus on helping people return to work:
“For too long, people locked out of work with health issues have been forgotten about and denied the support they need to get well and get working.

“It’s stifling our economy and preventing those eager to progress in life from unleashing their full potential.

“This multi-million-pound funding boost means MSK patients across the country will get the help they need, as we give clinical leaders the resources to innovate, get people off waiting lists, and get Britain working again.”

Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, noted the broader economic and personal benefits of tackling MSK conditions:
“With prevention, early detection and treatment, we know that the 17 million people with musculoskeletal issues in England could better manage their conditions, improving their quality of life and enabling them to rejoin the workforce.

“Through the Plan for Change, the government is taking decisive action to drive down waiting lists, improve treatment options, and boost the economy.”

MSK Services to Lead the Way

The funding will be administered through NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, with local health systems assessing their current services and sharing best practices. Professor Tim Briggs, National Director of Clinical Improvement and Elective Recovery, emphasised the initiative’s potential:
“The NHS has a proven record of spearheading improvements through the Getting it Right First Time Programme, and this initiative could make a real difference to people with MSK conditions – providing them with the care they need and helping them to return to work.”

Support for Those Living with Arthritis

Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis, welcomed the programme:
“With over 20 million people living with musculoskeletal conditions, including 10 million with arthritis, Versus Arthritis understands the devastating impact these conditions can have on working lives.

“Arthritis can cause debilitating pain, joint stiffness, and prevent people doing everyday tasks, with work sometimes made to feel an impossible challenge.

“MSK Community Services can be an invaluable resource for people with arthritis, and we are delighted to see the launch of this programme in dedicated sites across England, and in the future across the whole country.”

A Focus on Employment and Health

This funding follows the Government’s Get Britain Working White Paper, part of the biggest reforms to employment support in a generation. It aims to combine health and employment services, ensuring more people can access the care they need to thrive in their personal and professional lives.