Therapies Team supports over 450 people with joint and muscle problems through innovative community solution
26 August 2025
A team of therapies staff, that include Physiotherapists, Podiatrists and Dieticians, have supported more than 450 people with joint and muscle problems thanks to an innovative and community-based solution.
Patients on Anglesey and in Gwynedd who are waiting for an assessment for physiotherapy for musculoskeletal pain (pain in muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons) are being invited to local leisure centres for their consultation where they are either offered further treatment, support such as exercise or were discharged from the service.
These Community Assessment Days (CAD), which are a ‘one stop shop’, are also supported by other third-sector organisations which provide the opportunity for attendees to address any other needs they have.
Feedback from patients has been very positive, Martin Fell from Benllech was one of those patients who praised the clinical team for arranging the event.
He said: “I’ve been suffering with knee pain for around four to five months, I’ve found out I don’t need a knee replacement but coming here today I’ve found new exercises to do to help me with the pain.
“It’s fantastic they’ve put this on for patients, it is so much more convenient than having to drive to Ysbyty Gwynedd.
“I’ve taken with me a lot more knowledge and literature – it’s been really beneficial.”
Stephen Rowlands, from Llanerchymedd was offered an appointment for his shoulder pain which he has been experiencing for around six months.
He said: “The pain has been so bad at times it would wake me up at night so it’s really painful and I do struggle to lift certain things.
“When I received the appointment to come to this event, I wasn’t sure what it was going to be like but thought I’d come with a positive and open mind.
“It’s been absolutely fantastic, I have spoken to several clinicians, felt listened to and took away some new exercises – I can already feel an instant improvement in my shoulder since being shown these exercises which is brilliant.
“I’ve been booked in for a follow up appointment to see how I am at a later date but I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to attend this event.”
Not only do these events benefit patients, they also benefit the staff who have worked together to make them a success so far.
Cathy Wynne, Head of Physiotherapy for the West Integrated Health Community, said: “For me, the most significant achievement from these events so far has been bringing the team together to support our patients.
“It has also created fantastic opportunities for networking with colleagues and third sector partners, which will strengthen our collaborative efforts.”
Anna White, Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner added: “The Community Appointment Days have so far exceeded our expectations. We are able to meet patients in a community setting, seeing them earlier than we otherwise would have, but also able to have the community partners in the same space, to support patients wider health and social situations.
“It has been a very positive experience so far for our patients and for staff, to be able to work together, and we hope to be able to run these sessions regularly across Gwynedd and Môn.”
In the East of North Wales, they have been running focused “mini-CAD” events for around a year, seeing approximately 80–100 patients per event which are held on Health Board sites. In the Centre of North Wales, they are trialling rapid access knee and fracture clinics, with plans to pilot similar services for shoulder complaints. There are plans to look at holding CAD events in the future in this area, particularly targeting community patients.