Musculoskeletal Research

Feel Put Off Seeing Your GP? New Research Highlights The Problem With Long Waiting Lists Within The NHS – The Chiropractors at Charminster Chiropractic Clinic in Bournemouth Explains

Long waiting times make it hard for people with musculoskeletal conditions affecting muscle, bone, and joint issues to get the help they need. When people are not able to see a doctor  quickly, their health can get worse, and they might end up needing more serious treatments later. That is why getting care as soon as possible is very important. 

Introduction

Chiropractors and other healthcare providers are stepping up to help people get faster pain relief and stay healthier over time. They offer quicker options for treatment so patients do not have to wait forever to see a doctor. By focusing on each person’s needs, chiropractors are helping those who might otherwise be stuck in long waiting lines for medical care. 

This article looks at new research from the British Chiropractic Association (BCA). It shares real stories from patients, explores why long waiting times are keeping many people from getting help, and suggests solutions for those stuck waiting too long. 

Why Is This A Problem?

The BCA’s research shows that the UK’s healthcare system has a serious problem. Millions of people in the UK deal with musculoskeletal conditions like back pain, arthritis, and joint problems every day, which can make life really hard. These issues affect over 20 million people and make up almost a third of GP visits in England.

But here is the problem: the NHS is struggling to keep up, and long waiting times make it tough for people to get the help they need. Many people feel frustrated or give up on booking an appointment because it takes so long. In fact, this recent study found that more than half of people in the UK avoid seeing their GP because of these long waits. This does not just leave people in pain—it can also make their physical and mental health worse over time.

How Was The Study Carried Out?

The BCA worked with a company called OnePoll to find out how big of a problem muscle, bone, and joint issues are and how NHS waiting times are making it harder for people to get help. They asked 5,000 people in the UK if they had an issue with their muscles, bones or joints in the past two years, how it affected their daily lives, and why they might have avoided going to their GP. The survey also looked at how long people had been dealing with their symptoms and whether they found other ways to get treated. 

The research also showed how chiropractors can help take some of the pressure off the NHS. Chiropractors can provide faster care for musculoskeletal problems, which helps patients get relief sooner while freeing up GPs to focus on other patients.

This study was part of a bigger conversation during Chiropractic Awareness Week in April 2023. The goal was to get people talking about other ways to treat pain for musculoskeletal issues, besides just waiting to see a GP. It is one of the first big surveys to look at how hard it is to see a GP for these problems and how that affects people’s health and daily lives.

Results

The BCA’s research shows a worrying trend: long waits to see a GP are making people handle their health problems in other ways. Many are taking medicine on their own, putting off getting help, or turning to other treatment options. The study found that 56% of people do not even bother trying to see their GP because it takes so long. For those with musculoskeletal problems, waiting too long can make their symptoms worse, make it harder to move around, and even affect their mental health. 

Here is what the BCA’s research found:

• 33% of people had trouble booking a GP appointment for their condition.
• 43% avoided going to the GP on purpose because they knew they would have to wait forever.
• 52% have been dealing with their pain for over a year, struggling without proper treatment.
• Almost 48% turned to painkillers they could buy at the shop to help them feel better, but while that works short-term, it does not actually fix the root cause of the problem.
• 53% thought about going private, with many choosing chiropractors or physiotherapists for faster, easier treatment. 

These results show just how frustrating it can be for people to deal with long waits for treatment. Delays can lead to more serious problems, like staying in pain for longer, the chance of pain becoming chronic and permanent, and even other health issues popping up because of it.

What Have Patients Shared?

Real stories from patients show how long GP wait times can really put a toll on both physical and mental health. Ian Palmer, 52, from Wiltshire, shared how tough it was for him. In early 2023, he started having terrible pain in his neck, shoulder, and arm. He tried to get help from the NHS but was told he would have to wait four weeks to see a GP and even longer to get an MRI. While waiting, his pain got so bad he could not work, sleep, or even do simple daily tasks. On top of that, the stress and frustration started affecting his mental health. Finally, Ian decided to try a chiropractor, who helped him manage the pain and get back on track.

Ian worked with Philippa Oakley, a local chiropractor, who gave him hands-on treatment and created a special exercise plan to help him feel better. Philippa also worked with Ian’s GP, set up a private MRI scan for him, and teamed up with his orthopaedic specialist. Ian said that chiropractic care did not just help with his physical pain; it also gave him much-needed mental support during a really stressful time.

A lot of people in the UK can probably relate to Ian’s experience. Lots of people with musculoskeletal problems are stuck waiting for ages to get NHS treatment. For them, it is a tough choice: deal with the pain or look for other ways to get help, often going outside the NHS. 

Our Advice

If you are frustrated by long wait times to see a GP, not only the Bournemouth Chiropractors at Charminster Chiropractic Clinic, but the BCA and other healthcare professionals suggest some ways to handle musculoskeletal problems while dealing with these healthcare challenges. 

Explore Alternative Healthcare Providers

Chiropractors, physiotherapists, and osteopaths are trained specifically to help with musculoskeletal problems. They use proven, evidence-based treatments that are safe and all regulated. These professionals offer different services, like hands-on therapy and exercise plans, help manage pain, improve movement, and fix the root causes of the issues causing musculoskeletal pain. 

Prioritise Short-Term Pain Management Responsibly

Over-the-counter medications can be useful for short-term pain relief, but they should not be relied on for long periods. Taking them too often can cause other health problems and usually does not fix the main issues causing the musculoskeletal pain. 

Focus on Preventive Measures

Regular exercise, adjusting how you sit and stand, and being mindful of your posture can help prevent injuries from occurring. Low-impact activities like walking or swimming are great for keeping your joints healthy and stopping aches and pains from getting worse. 

Take Charge of Mental Health

Long waits to see a doctor and dealing with constant pain can affect your mental health too. It is important to talk to a mental health professional, practice relaxation techniques, and stay connected with friends and family for support while waiting for treatment.

Consider Private Health Insurance or Self-Pay Options

Private healthcare is not affordable for everyone, but it might be an option for people who can not wait through long delays. Many chiropractors offer free scans to screen if they can help you, deals or discounts that let you pay a little less for treatment, and making sure they can give you enough treatments you can afford with exercise plans for those who need quicker care. See our offers, spinal scan and treatment offers on our website for more information. 

Advocate for Improved GP Access

If you or your family are having trouble getting the healthcare you need, it is important to speak up. You can talk to your local doctors or patient support groups about your concerns. When more people speak out, it can push leaders to give more funding and resources to healthcare; in hope of making it better for everyone. 

Conclusion

The results from the BCA’s research and other studies show that there is an urgent need to fix the long waiting lists and access problems in the UK’s healthcare system. No one should have to delay getting treatment or suffer alone because of these issues. Musculoskeletal problems can usually be managed, especially if treated early, but they need active and easy-to-access healthcare. Working together with the Bournemouth chiropractors at the Charminster Chiropractic Clinic can help take some stress off the system and give you quicker care. Book an appointment today for a thorough consultation with safe, evidence-based chiropractic care to help with your musculoskeletal issues. 

References

1. Buchbinder R., Underwood M., Hartvigsen J., Maher C.G., 2020. The Lancet Series call to action to reduce low value care for low back pain: an update. Pain. 1(1):S57-S64. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7434211/ 
2. https://www.england.nhs.uk/elective-care-transformation/best-practice-solutions/musculoskeletal/