Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dorset MSK triage service?
The Dorset Musculoskeletal (MSK) service has been developed by doctors and experienced physiotherapists alongside Orthopaedic surgeons, to provide an early assessment for patients with musculo-skeletal problems. This service has been commissioned by Dorset CCG following guidance from NHS England.
The team of orthopaedic specialists provide an early, expert assessment and are usually able to diagnose and treat your problem.
You will have been referred by your GP for an in-depth assessment of your condition/problem. The trained team of experienced doctors and practitioners will carry out a full examination and refer you on to either a conservative treatment option such as physiotherapy (you may hear this referred to as the 'interface service'), an acute healthcare provider such as the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, or you will be discharged back to the care of your GP if it is felt that you do not require treatment.
If you require further information, please visit the MSK triage website.
What is the Hampshire CCG Orthopaedic Choice service?
The Hampshire CCG Orthopaedic Choice service acts similarly to the Dorset MSK triage service. If you live in Hampshire, your GP will have referred you for a further review by a clinician within the Orthopaedic choice service who will be able to quickly diagnose whether your health problem requires further investigation. At this appointment, you will discuss what treatment options are available for you and how to manage your symptoms and you will be referred on to either a conservative treatment option such as physiotherapy, an acute healthcare provider such as the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, or you will be discharged back to the care of your GP if it is felt that you do not require treatment. You can choose where you would like to be seen across Hampshire and this includes the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
Should you require further information, please visit the Orthopaedic Choice website.
What can I do to ensure I mitigate against any risks ahead of surgery?
Ahead of surgery, we would encourage all patients to stop smoking. If your BMI is over 40, we also ask that you lose weight as we are contractually obliged by the CCG to not operate on patients over this BMI due to the associated risks. If you require further information into stop smoking and weight loss services, please visit the LiveWell Dorset website.
How can I find out more information about risks to surgery?
The risks associated with your particular surgery will be discussed in detail with you by your Consultant. These will be tailored specifically to you and you are able to ask as many questions as you like. You will also be provided with a patient information leaflet which again outlines such risks so that you can refer to them once you get home.
I want to make a complaint. Who do I need to talk to?
If you have a complaint or concern about the care you have received whilst under the Orthopaedic department, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). The PALS team can be contacted by:
- By telephone: 0300 019 4 886 or 0300 019 4301 (please leave a message on the answer phone if you call out of hours, or if staff are helping with other enquiries and are unable to answer your call).
- By email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- By post: PALS Co-ordinator, Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Castle Lane East, Bournemouth, BH7 7DW
- In person: The PALS office is open 9:30am - 4pm. No appointment is necessary; please just drop in and a member of the team will be happy to talk to you.
Please note that the Royal Bournemouth Hospital has a zero tolerance policy to abuse towards our staff. We please ask that you are polite to our PALS team when raising a complaint; they are there to help you and will ensure your concerns are investigated. We thank you in advance for your co-operation.
