A new provider for Musculoskeletal services in the Kirklees District from 1 April 2025

From 1 April 2025, Connect Health will provide MSK (Adult Integrated Community Musculoskeletal (MSK) and Pain Management) services in the Kirklees district.

This will mean a change for patients living in the Huddersfield area.

The change in provider follows a re-procurement of services by NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), the organisation responsible for planning and buying local health services in Kirklees.

The new provider is Connect Health with some services provided by Locala.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust – CHFT will continue to accept secondary care referrals and post operative patients.

What will Change?

There will be some additional features to the current service for patients in South Kirklees (Huddersfield area) to bring them in line with other people in the area. This will mean the same service will be provided to everyone across Kirklees.  

The new Musculoskeletal service will include a single point of access triage hub for all MSK, and MSK-related physiotherapy, rheumatology, orthopaedic and pain management referrals.

The service will also mean that patients can self-refer for physiotherapy by phone or online without needing to visit their GP first. It will also mean that you can receive treatment in the community rather than coming to hospital.

If you live in North Kirklees (Dewsbury, Batley area) then there will be no change to the service currently provided as that is already delivered by Connect Health.

When does the Musculoskeletal service move to Connect Health?

Connect Health will start providing the service on 1 April 2025.

What will happen to my care if I was referred to the Musculoskeletal service before 1st February, 2025?

If your referral has been received by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust before 1 February 2025, you do not need to do anything. Your episode of care will be completed within the existing service.

What will happen to my care if I was referred to the Musculoskeletal service after 1st February, 2025?

You do not need to do anything. Referrals received after 1 February, 2025, will be sent to the new provider, Connect Health, and you will be contacted by them by 12 May 2025 with details of your appointment.

The details of any referrals directed to Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust will be shared with Connect Health to help with your ongoing care.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, Connect Health and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board are working together to make sure this change of provision is as smooth as possible for patients currently receiving or waiting for treatment.

What will happen to my healthcare record?

If you were referred into the service before 1 February, 2025, your full care record will be retained by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust and will remain accessible to you for a period of eight years.

If your referral is received into the service on or after 1 February 2025, your referral information will be shared securely with Connect Health so they can provide your care. Any future records for patients assessed and treated in the new service will be created by Connect Health, who will become the data controller

How do I make an appointment with the new provider?

Existing patients, or those waiting for treatment from a referral before 1 February 2025, will continue to be treated by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust and will complete their episode of care with them.

New patients whose referral was received after 1 February will be contacted by Connect Health to arrange your first appointment. If you do not receive a letter before 12 May 2025, please contact Connect Health on 01924 792075.

If you are a new patient and require treatment, or if you are referring a patient for assessment or treatment, please contact Connect Health on 01924 792075 after 1 April 2025.

New patients whose referral was received after 1 FebruaryWhat is the role of the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board – Kirklees Place?

West Yorkshire ICB – Kirklees place is responsible for planning and overseeing how NHS money is spent to support people living and working in the area.

It makes commissioning decisions to ensure the best value care possible and will regularly review how services are delivered to support the needs of the community.