Our Adult Musculoskeletal Assessment and Management Service consists of a small team of advanced physiotherapy practitioners who can assess, diagnose, and arrange treatment for complex musculoskeletal and spinal problems.
The AMAMS team act as a triage service for Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal referrals in Western Cheshire. This means that the team ensure that people are seen by the right person with the best skills to help them. The AMAMS team work closely with GPs and hospital specialists to provide efficient access to care in the right service.
Your assessment may be over the telephone, or face to face, depending on what is on your referral and what you have asked for. Your assessment is designed to help your physiotherapist reach a diagnosis and then to decide on a treatment plan with you.
Your physiotherapist will ask you detailed questions about your condition, and how it is affecting you day to day. They will examine you carefully to help diagnose the problem, and this may include testing muscles and soft tissues, or feeling how your joints are moving. They will talk to you about what they find and what your treatment choices may be.
You may need to partially undress to help your physiotherapist complete a proper examination, so you may want to bring a pair of shorts if your problem is in your legs or your back. Your physiotherapist will never ask you to remove your underwear. You are welcome to request a chaperone or a male or female therapist, but please let us know in advance so we can organise this.
You are welcome to ask your physiotherapist questions during your assessment.
You need to ensure you attend your appointments. If you cannot attend a pre-agreed appointment, you will need to give us at least 24 hours’ notice.
If you miss your first appointment, it is likely that you will be discharged back to your GP.
If you miss a follow-up appointment, you have five working days to ring us to make a new appointment. If you do not contact us, you will be discharged back to your GP.
If you fail to attend a subsequent appointment, you may be discharged.
If you cancel the same appointment on two occasions, your referral will be passed to a clinician for a review, and you will likely be discharged from the service.
This service is open to anyone above the age of 16 who is also registered with a GP in West Cheshire. This service is not for anyone aged under 16.
You can directly access an advanced physiotherapist without seeing your doctor first.
We offer a number of daytime First Contact Practitioner (FCP) sessions within GP practices. Your GP can refer you to the AMAMS team for assessment of complex MSK problems
If you would prefer to contact us by email, we can arrange this.
Please contact the Therapy Administration team either on 01244 362998 or our email at cwp.jointtherapyservices-msk@nhs.net
