MSK Single Point of Access (SPoA) – NEL Update

What’s changing?

A Single Point of Access (SPoA) for Musculoskeletal (MSK) services is being introduced across all Places in North East London (NEL). This model, and embedded MSK pathways, align with national recommendations and best practice MSK pathways.

What is SPoA?
A SPoA is a single, central referral route into all MSK services, including physiotherapy, advanced practice physiotherapy (APP / ESP clinics) and orthopaedics. All referrals will be reviewed through one entry point and clinically triaged, ensuring patients are directed to the most appropriate service first time. This helps to simplify referral pathways, reduce duplication, and improve patient experience and outcomes.

Implementation timeline

• All NEL Places are aiming to implement a MSK SPoA by June 2026
• There may be local variations in delivery timelines, reflecting differences in existing service models, system readiness, and pathway development
• Some areas may go live earlier, while others may require additional time to ensure safe and effective implementation

Current work
Community MSK service leads are engaging with primary care, secondary care, lived experience members and wider stakeholders to:

• Agree communication processes for patients and referrers on the implementation of the SPoA and what this means for the patient’s referral and booking processes
• Develop and refine MSK referral pathways, referral forms and agreed triage protocols across the system. This will ensure equitable access to the most relevant MSK assessment and treatment for each patient across NEL
• Ensure services are embedding clinically appropriate pathways within the SPoA structure

Optimising community MSK services to ensure patients have equitable access to timely high quality triage and therapy intervention, aligning with the NHS England improvement framework for community musculoskeletal services

Get involved
Primary care colleagues are encouraged to engage. If you would like to contribute or learn more, please contact your local Community MSK provider or email us at nelondonicb.nelmsktransformationprogramme@nhs.net

Further updates will follow as local models are finalised, including details of local go-live arrangements.