Our CATS service is designed to provide assessment and treatment for people with complex problems that are severe or have not improved as expected.
The CATS team is made up of experienced Advanced Clinical Practitioners – who may hold professional qualifications in:
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Osteopathy
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
The clinician you see may specialise in MSK (Musculoskeletal – joint & muscle), rheumatology or pain depending on the service you are seen in, and the nature of your problem.
Our CATS appointments are designed to:
- Understand what the problem is
- Complete a physical assessment
- Provide initial advice, a diagnosis (where possible)
- Agree on a treatment plan which may include
- MSK rehab
- Referral for tests, such as X-ray, MRI or blood tests
- Injection treatment
- Referral for hospital assessment e.g. knee surgery
First appointments tend to last 30 minutes in a telephone, video or face-to-face appointment. Follow-up appointments may be shorter.
Before your CATS appointment
To prepare for your appointment, please:
- Identify the key questions you would like to ask
- Have an up-to-date list of medications and your medical history to hand
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Your clinician may ask you to partially undress to examine the body part in question