About this service
The Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment and Treatent Service (MCATS) assesses, diagnoses and offers a range of treatments for patients with musculoskelatal (MSK) conditions such as back, neck, knee or shoulder pain. We link closely with the local community clinics and our secondary care colleagues to enable appropriate and timely referral where required.
We offer assessment and treatment on MSK conditions this can include:
- Assessment and advice
- Diagnostic imaging or blood tests where required with follow-up
- Injection therapy - joint and soft tissue
- Biomechanical assessment and Orthotic provision
- Individual patient-centred management plans
- Onward referral where required to community or secondary care such as orthopaedics, rhuematology, nuerosurgery or pain clinics
The service offers a primary care based integrated approach to the expert assessment and management of musculoskeletal patients.
We have seven sites across Cheshire:
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Oakwood Medical Centre, Barnton
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Willow Wood Medical Centre, Wharton
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Dene Drive Medical Centre, Winsford
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Eagle Bridge Health and Wellbeing Centre, Crewe
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Church View Primary Care Centra, Nantwich
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Cedars Medical Centre, Alsager
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Ashfields Primary Care Centre, Sandbach
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Weaverham Clinic, Northwhich
The service has 11 clinical staff, including GPs (with special interest in MSK), Physiotherapy Advanced MSK Practitioners and Clinical Specialist Biomechanical Podiatrist
In order to access the service, you must have a GP within the catchment area that is covered by South Cheshire or Vale Royal CCG.
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Online GP Referral
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physiotherapy, Occupational Therpist, Podiatry
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Pain services for MSK related conditions
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Aged 16+ and ambulatory
Directions to the different clinics can be provided on request when an appointment is made.
What should I bring to my appointment?
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Your appointment letter or card
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A pair of shorts for assessment of leg and foot
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Vest top for assessment of back / shoulders / neck
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A list of medication you are taking
What does the Clinician need to know?
Please inform the clinician when you arrive if you have an electrical implant e.g. pacemaker or if you may by pregnant.
What happens at my first appointment?
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On your arrival please report to the Department / Reception.
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You will then be assessed by a clinician
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A treatment plan will be discussed and agreed with you.
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The initial visit may take 30-45 minutes
How will my follow up appointment be arranged?
If you need further appointments, a mutually convenient appointment time is arranged. A telephone follow up may be made to discuss the results of any investigations that are recommended.
What do I do if I cannot attend my appointment?
If you are unable to attend for your appointment, you must contact the department as soon as possible.
What happens if I do not attend my appointment?
If you fail to attend without advising us you may be discharged and your doctor informed.
Please arrive on time. If you arrive late, it may not be possible for you to be seen as other patients will have been booked in.
