The Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy team at Maidstone Hospital recently held its first community appointment day in an effort to improve waiting times and provide patients with timely and personalised community-based care.

Community appointment days move away from the traditional consultation model, giving patients opportunities to speak to a range of specialists, set their own goals and access the support they need to achieve them.

The events involve inviting patients to a local venue away from the hospital setting, moving towards a conversation-based approach to care.

The team’s first event took place at Hermitage Park Community Centre, with 23 patients attending. Patients had the opportunity to discuss their concerns with a physiotherapist, seek advice on treatment, and set goals for their recovery. Representatives from other teams were also there, including Maidstone Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Involve Kent, Mid Kent MIND, One You Kent Tier 2 weight loss services and lifestyle managers, and Diabetes UK, allowing patients to access a range of services all in one place.

As well as providing an opportunity to deliver services in a different way, community appointment days also help to reduce waiting times and ensure patients receive the care they need as quickly as possible. The format of the initiative means many patients can be seen on the same day in an accessible, community-based space, without going through the formal appointment process.

Gemma Shaw, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist who led on the organisation of the day, said: “Our new community appointment days are a great example of doing things differently to benefit our patients and ensure they receive the right service in the right place and at the right time. The first event was a huge success, and it was fantastic to see so many patients embracing the new format and benefiting from the range of expert advice and care available to them.

“Thank you to the MSK team for making our first community appointment day a success, and to our patients for coming along. We look forward to planning future events and benefiting as many patients as we can with this new way of providing care.”

One patient who attended the event said: “Initially, I did not know what to expect when my appointment was scheduled for the community centre, however these are great facilities. My appointment was professional and personalised with the physiotherapist who then directed me on to the community teams who helped with my other concerns.”