Sussex MSK Partnership Central

UPDATE: It seems that an admin assistant can throw you off the pathway with no medical knowledge. I had my first procedure (unfortunately didn't work for me - no reflection on the consultants, who were first class) and I was told to organise another appointment as I was 'still in the system'. 3 calls and messages left (no response in a month) I eventually walked into the MSK centre and asked what was happening. After several profound apologies I was told it was sorted and I would get my appointment. 4 weeks later and I was given the appt with the wrong consultant, wasting everyone's time. It then took a further 5 weeks, 3 calls and an email to finally get through to someone (no-one returned any calls or responded to email). I was told they don't make the appointments and they wouldn't say who did. I was also told that my case was now classified as 'routine', even through I was previously told it would be sorted quickly due to the mistakes they had made and severity of my case. Finally, they agreed that there were several mistakes made and I would get an appointment - waiting with baited breath!!! Sussex MSK Partnership does not appear to be fit for purpose. The two 5* reviews on here are from employees of Sussex MSK, all the rest are 1* - reach your own conclusions! My referral to physiotherapy at PRH was diagnosed without seeing me and put down as non-urgent and routine and therefore a 48 week delay. Looks like you have to work for them to get seen and treated,
Apr 25th, 2023

UPDATE SINCE 'Dreadful' REVIEW BELOW. We actually contacted MSK direct and had an immediate response so that was positive. As a result husband been offered a pre op on 17th April with surgery, hopefully, 29th April, for his knee. We are still in discussion with various senior bodies about the problems encountered. We were offered guidance on making a formal complaint, which we have decided against in the light of swift action after our email to MSK. This was never a 'witch hunt'. We have no complaint about the staff, but just the way a treatment path progresses. Dreadful. As a clinical NHS worker of 38 years, I cannot believe the shambolic way MSK is run. My husband has been passed from pillar to post for almost two years for his knee. It took 15 months to get a telephone appointment and another 7 months to get to finally see consultant because of their chaos. This has now resulted in it becoming a chronic condition requiring surgery and consequently leading to a hip problem, due to the delays in getting, what could have been, a quick fix. The shoulder problem is another matter...during this knee problem he was referred for his shoulder ( 50 years working as a carpenter) . Saw someone twice at The Vale, Sept 22, did all the exercises, ( still doing them) , no improvement. Got referred to physio at PRH, two months later got a letter removing him from the waiting list because he had not responded to the letter he has never received to make an appointment! How MSK are still in partnership I do not know. Having worked in an orthopaedic theatre I have heard nothing but negative feedback from patients as well as our own experience. I will be looking into this further to see if there is a formal way of complaint or if CQC are able to look into this inefficient 'service' An embarrassment to the great, but struggling NHS.
Apr 5th, 2023

I visited here and was told that they would check with a spinal physio but have never heard back from them and we pay their wages, not a good service
Mar 3rd, 2023

I have been thrown around from one department to another over the past 2 years, in the meantime my condition has worsened and pain is impacting all aspects of my life. The poor service has directly affected my living quality, welcome to the broken NHS system
Nov 4th, 2022

There are serious reasons to be concerned about the way care is delivered within the current framework. In any service the quality of care depends on the professionals assessing patients needs and ensuring they actually get the care and management they need. Communication falls apart when there are complex needs or other information that need to be shared, isn't. I weep for other patients in pain if they have encountered the care failings I have. Sadly made much worse by hostility and dismissive practitioners with some questionable opinions not backed up by clinical evidence at all.
Jul 10th, 2022