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Alana MacPhee and Eleanor Maule have taken up pioneering posts as first contact physiotherapists with NHS Western Isles, which covers a group of islands off the north west coast of Scotland, as Ian A McMillan discovered.

Alana’s patch is Uist and Barra, while Eleanor is based in Stornoway, the main town on the Isle of Lewis. The innovation means that local patients presenting to GP practices with musculoskeletal issues will be assessed by physiotherapists without having to see their GP first.

A range of treatment options is available

Depending on their needs, patients will be offered help by telephone, virtually, or face to face.

The existing arrangements for self-referral to the local physiotherapy service and standard NHS physiotherapy service provision remain in place, a release on the NHS Western Isles website announced.

For more information, visit: https://www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk/nhs-western-isles-launches-first-contact-physiotherapy-service