Developing local physiotherapy services: Guidance for branches
One of the MS Society's key priorities is to work in partnership with professionals to achieve standards of care for people with MS.
The MS Society has produced guidance for your local branch on how they can best work with the NHS to improve access to physiotherapy for people with mulitple sclerosis (MS).
This leaflet (pictured to your right) will help local branches to improve physiotherapy services in line with the NICE Guideline and to use local funds in an effective and sustainable way.
Our new guidance booklet answers the following questions:
- Why should my branch help get access to more physiotherapy locally?
- Why should my branch work with local NHS services?
- For how long should my branch fund physiotherapy?
- Can we fund in partnership with other charities?
- How do you make sure that the service is working to the maximum benefit of people with MS?
- What help can we get from MS National Centre?
- Does the MS National Centre help fund physiotherapy posts in the NHS?
- What else is happening in relation to improving physiotherapy services?
Whatever is agreed between branches and local providers should be clarified in writing. A Service Level Agreement (essentially a list of expectations from this new 'partnership') should be completed. A blank form, guidance notes on how to go about filling it in, and two samples of completed agreements are provided below.
This document will help the branch to complete the agreement between participating services. Further advice can be sought from the MS Society by emailing the Service Development Team or calling 020 8438 0742. We can put you in touch with your local Service Development Officer (SDO) who will be able to guide you through common questions.
Here you can download a 'service level agreement' form. This should be used by a branch to set out what is expected from the relationship between the branch and the local provider.
View an example of a completed service level agreement between a local branch and a PCT Disability Rehabilitation Team
See an example of a completed service level agreement between a local branch and a local community physiotherapy department
