University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust’s (UHMBT) Integrated Musculoskeletal Service (iMSK) has moved its base, giving ‘3,500 people per year’ with musculoskeletal conditions better access to holistic care, the trust says.
The service, based in Westmorland General Hospital, has moved to Kendal Leisure Centre within the Morecambe Bay community to provide patients with a holistic care approach.
The new move will also provide four new clinic rooms and office space for the service, and will offer patients access to a gym, 25-metre swimming pool, indoor sports hall, fitness studios, conference suites and a 900-seat theatre and arts venue.
Derek Jones, Greenwich Leisure Centre Ltd Partnership Manager, Kendal Lesure Centre, commented: “As a charitable social enterprise, we are committed to imprving the health and wellbeing of our local communities through exercise and we work closely with South Lakeland District Council to achieve this.
“As a hub at the heart of the local community, boasting excellent fitness facilities including swimming pools, Kendal Leisure Community is ideally suited as a base for iMSK services.
“We are very proud to be supporting the NHS on this innovative scheme and are confident that together we will help more people with their long -term recovery and provide the best ongoing advice, support and services to enable local residents to lead more active lifestyles.”
Jonathan Ashton, Consultant Physiotherapist and iMSK lead, UHMBT, added: “Our move to Kendal Leisure Centre means that holistic care will be embedded in our community, integrating clinical services with healthy lifestyles and wellbeing teams who can continue to support shared decisions with people about care.”