East Sussex MSK Community Partnership – Questions & Answers.

From 1st December 2024, the two current MSK services across East Sussex (excluding Brighton & Hove) will integrate and merge. These two services are called Sussex MSK Partnership East and MSKt. The new single MSK service will be known as ‘East Sussex MSK Community Partnership (ESMSK)’.  

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust will be working in partnership with Horder Healthcare to deliver this new service. ESMSK will oversee the care and treatment of patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, which include issues with bones, joints, and muscles. Our service also supports patients with rheumatology conditions, pelvic health conditions and chronic pain. 

If you are a patient in one of the two current MSK services, your care will continue as usual, and all you will notice is the change of name and branding on correspondence. You will continue to see the same teams for your clinical care in the same locations. 

Merging the two current services will streamline referrals and improve patient experience. ESMSK’s aim is to provide integrated, high-quality, personalised care across East Sussex that is easy to access and inclusive in approach.

MSK stands for "musculoskeletal," referring to conditions, injuries, and diseases that affect the muscles, bones, and joints. 

ESMSK covers all of East Sussex (excluding Brighton and Hove), including the Havens, Lewes, Crowborough, Wealden, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Hastings, and Rother. To find out if your GP is within our catchment area, see our service boundaries here.

If you have been referred to Sussex MSK Partnership East (SMSKPE) or MSKt, nothing will change, the new ESMSK service will be in touch with you soon. 

If you are waiting for an appointment or currently receiving treatment this will continue without interruption. 

The aim to provide convenient local options, ensuring fair waiting times and equal access for everyone. If you receive an appointment letter or text, but would like to be seen at a different location, please check our  locations page and contact us to discuss your preference.

You can check here for our current average waiting times.

If we already have your referral, we'll be in touch soon. For questions not answered on this website, please see Getting In Touch for further details.

If you were seen within the last twelve months at SMSKPE, MSKt, or ESMSK and need further advice or treatment for the same problem, you can contact our admin teams to reopen your referral. See Getting In Touch for more information. 

ESMSK provides an online self-referral option for physiotherapy. Visit our dedicated self-referral page for guidance on how to submit your referral and access helpful materials while you wait.