A NEW service manager has been appointed to a service to get people across Greater Glasgow and Clyde "fit for the future and fit for life".

Dr Helen Little will now oversee the musculoskeletal physiotherapy service which helps to restore movement and function in people affected by injury, illness or a disability.

Hosted by the area's health and social care partnership, on behalf of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy is a specialised area of physiotherapy treating injuries and conditions which affect the muscles, joints, and soft tissue.

Beth Culshaw, chief officer of West Dunbartonshire HSCP, said: "The MSK physio service makes an invaluable difference to the lives of thousands of our patients.

"Helen is a wonderful appointment to lead the service and build on the great work the team has been doing."

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The service currently receives more than 75,000 referrals each year who are treated in hospitals and health and care centres by more than 200 MSK physios.

Conditions commonly treated range from arthritis, pre and post-surgery rehabilitation to back pain, muscle and ligament strains, cartilage tears and sports injuries.

According to the health board, an intensive push to drive down waiting times for an MSK consultation, means they are now less than half what they were two years ago, dropping from more than 10 weeks to less than five weeks.

Helen said: "Our MSK physios do wonderful work across the entire Greater Glasgow and Clyde area and I want to ensure we continue to play a key role in helping to improve our patients' health.

"Evidence shows that our team helps people to get back to, or stay in, work, increase a person's function and decrease the pain they can be feeling.

"We are seeing an increase in the number of people who are being referred to us for treatment which shows we are successful in helping people regain fitness and lead healthier lives."