Appropriate Use of MSK Pathways and MRI Requests
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The new MRI access criteria for Primary Care, which removes all MSK-related MRI options, came into effect on 17 November 2025. Patients presenting to primary care with MSK-related conditions that are assessed to need further MSK support, should be referred to the MSK Community Service, where the clinical team will assess, treat, and—if clinically indicated—request imaging. Patients should not be referred to the MSK Community Service solely for an MRI, as the service is designed to provide specialist MSK assessment and treatment, not diagnostic-only referrals. Where appropriate, please consider initially signposting patients to the GetUBetter app for self-management support. GetUBetter GetUBetter is delivered in partnership with North East London ICS and the NHS, providing safe, NICE-approved digital self-management support for common muscle, bone, and joint conditions using locally configured MSK pathways. The app is supported by local GPs and MSK clinicians and is free for patients across NEL, in both Primary and Secondary Care. GetUBetter is suitable for adults aged 18+ with new, recurrent, or long-term MSK conditions and is appropriate for approximately 80% of MSK patients. It is not suitable for patients requiring targeted physiotherapy or specialist medical management (e.g. rheumatological conditions, fractures, or ACL injuries). The Living with Pain add-on is now live across TNW and BHR, with City and Hackney to follow shortly. This add-on provides comprehensive behavioural change content for patients relating to all aspects of their life that are likely to be impacted by persistent pain. It contains targeted support to help manage pain holistically, with content changing depending on how a person is feeling. Patients can get access to the app via the below link https://www.getubetter.com/patient/ Practices using eConsult as their online consultation platform can now link directly to GetUBetter, allowing patients presenting with MSK conditions to be signposted straight to the app. Practices can contact eConsult directly to enable this feature. For practices not using eConsult, the ICB is currently working to integrate GetUBetter with other online consultation platforms used across North East London. Non-MSK MRI Requests MRI access for non-MSK indications is still available through the single referral form titled: ‘Non-MSK MRI Referral Form.’ Further information on MSK referral routes and pathways across NEL can be found here: Musculoskeletal – North East London If you have any queries, please contact shahnaz.begum5@nhs.net in the first instance. |