Practical MSK training designed For GPs, by specialists
Musculoskeletal problems make up over a quarter of all GP consultations, yet many clinicians tell us they want more confidence with early MSK assessment, exercise advice, and knowing when and where to refer. Our MSK GP Training Day is designed to give you practical, clinic-ready tools to make MSK presentations more manageable for you and more effective for your patients.
What the training session covers
- Common primary-care MSK conditions such as lower back pain
- Simple, evidence-based exercise prescriptions your patients can do at home
- Clear referral guidance to help you decide who needs onward care and when
- Delivered by MSK specialists from the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
Feeback from GPs at College Green Surgery
We recently ran a session at College Green surgery. It was well received by participants who called it a 'great session' which imporved their confidence in managing MSK patients. Many commented on the practicality of the session and the quality of the teaching.
Book a session now
Sessions are run on request for individual practices or PCNs; ideal for protected learning time or upskilling your whole team. Book your session here.
"We are passionate about supporting learning and development in Primary Care. Our MSK GP Training Day is a great opportunity to build your practices’ knowledge and skills around supporting, managing, and referring patients with common MSK conditions and injuries."
Uzo Ehiogu
Clinical Lead for the MSK Academy
Health Secretary, Wes Streeting visits the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care visited the ROH to find out more about innovation and how we are reducing waiting lists for local people.
The Health Secretary spend time learning about the Trust’s work on helping patients with musculoskeletal problems is helping to reduce the electives care waiting list, through innovations in orthopaedics in operating theatres, such as the use of robotics, and research. This included the Trust's new MSK Academy through which it will empower healthcare professionals to provide exceptional patient care for those with musculoskeletal conditions.
Community Appointment Days: Faster MSK support for your patients and fewer routine follow-ups for your practice
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and College Green Medical Practice ran a South Birmingham MSK Community Appointment Day (CAD), a model that could make a real difference to GPs and primary care teams.
What is a Community Appointment Day
A Community Appointment Day (CAD) is a one-stop, community-based clinic offering rapid MSK assessment, self-management support, and onward guidance to help patients access timely care and reduce routine follow-ups.
Why this matters for general practice
CADs offer an efficient way to give patients early MSK support without relying solely on routine physiotherapy slots. For many practices, this can mean:
- Reduced demand for follow-up appointments
- Faster access to advice, exercises, and self-management support
- Improved patient confidence and independence
- Clearer pathways for those who do need ongoing care
How CADs can support Primary Care
CADs show how primary and secondary care can work together to cut waiting times, offer patients richer, more personalised support, reduce the cycle of repeat MSK consultations and address health inequalities by taking services into the community. This model is scalable, collaborative, and designed to lift pressure from GP practices while improving patient outcomes.
Read our full report on the CAD here
Who was involved?
259 patients, 48 staff members, 12 local organisations
Discharge rate
13.9% of patients
PIFU rate
25.1% were placed on PIFU, reducing routine appointments and enabling self-management
Patient satisfaction
90%, with 75% reporting increased confidence in managing their health.
The MSK Academy: a new resource supporting MSK learning across Primary and Community care
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital has launched the MSK Academy, a dedicated hub for developing skills and confidence in musculoskeletal (MSK) care. While designed primarily for MSK and early-career healthcare professionals, the Academy also offers valuable learning opportunities for GPs who want to strengthen their understanding of common MSK conditions seen in everyday practice.
The Academy brings together leading clinicians, educators and researchers to provide:
- Expert-led courses covering key MSK topics and practical clinical skills
- A network of specialist teachers from across orthopaedics and MSK practice
- On-demand learning and free resources, including insights from the latest research
- Bespoke training options for teams looking to develop targeted MSK education
With MSK presentations making up a significant proportion of primary care workload, the MSK Academy offers GPs a flexible way to update their knowledge, access high-quality teaching and connect with specialists.
Find out more: MSK Academy