Instead of waiting for orthopaedic assessment at Dunedin Hospital, these patients can now access the Southern Community Orthopaedic Triage Service (SCOTS). Based in the community, SCOTS clinicians will assess the patient within days of referral to the service.
Since it began in early 2022, more than 150 patients have used SCOTS. Of these, 100 have been offered an exercise and education programme designed to promote self-management of the condition which has delayed or, in many cases, prevented the need for subsequent surgery.
Led by Te Whatu Ora senior physiotherapist Martin Kidd, the SCOTS programme uses Ministry of Health funding to deliver the exercises and education within the community, at either Habit Health or Sportsmed Mosgiel.
“Our aim is to offer an alternative, accessible, functional programme closer to home for appropriate patients. Sure, for some patients surgery is the next step, but for 70% of SCOTS patients, we can offer a pathway that helps them towards independence and managing their own condition.”
Mike O’Cain is a 74-year-old retiree from Fairfield, whose knees restricted his walking in the community. Having attended the SCOTS programme, Mike can stay on his feet longer during the day without pain.
“I was referred [to SCOTS] in December, had an Xray in short order and the SCOTS programme was underway for me by February,” Mike said.
If patients think SCOTS could help them, they should contact their GP as soon as possible and ask for a referral.
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