Publish date: 4 April 2025
The Trust’s Musculoskeletal (MSK) team worked together with Active Blackpool to provide weekly exercise sessions for patients identified as needing further support.
The MSK service supports patients with musculoskeletal conditions which can affect bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons or nerves. Using education, treatment, advice and pain management strategies the service aims to maximise a person’s ability to function independently.
Patients of the MSK service who have completed their treatment and are identified as benefiting from further support can be referred onto a six-week supported exercise programme. These sessions take place at Blackpool Sports Centre using their smart exercise equipment, EGYM.
The aim of the programme is to encourage patients with MSK conditions to continue to be active while avoiding further injury and potential re-referral into MSK care.
Caroline Humphreys, MSK Physiotherapist, said “The E-gym Class has now been running since November 2024 and has gained positive results for the first group of patients completing their 6-week block. The class continues to thrive with new patients completing their induction every day and 100% uptake of an Active Blackpool Membership so far following the class.”
At the start of the course attendees are assessed and their information is put into the EGYM system which will create an individualised exercise plan that suits their strength, fitness and ability. They then attend a weekly session where they complete two circuits on the EGYM equipment.
Colleagues from the service and staff from the gym are on hand to support patients as they work their way through the exercises. Upon completion patients are assessed again and are encouraged to join the Active Blackpool gym where they can continue to exercise and improve their mobility while receiving guidance from the gym staff.
You can find out more about the work the team does here: MSK (Musculoskeletal) Service :: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals.
