PATIENTS with a wide range of joint, muscle and back problems should be spared a long wait to see a specialist due to a new service operating in Newport.

Boasting the talents of Wales' first consultant-grade physiotherapists, another expert physiotherapist, a specialist GP and a podiatrist, a new MPT3 team is offering a speedier alternative for potentially thousands of patients.

MPT3 is short for Multi-professional Triage and Treatment Service for musculo-skeletal disorders. As consultant physiotherapist Lorraine Warr explained, there is a simple aim behind the complicated title.

"This is a rapid access service and patients should be seen within six weeks of referral by their GP. The aim is that the patient sees the right person in the right place at the right time, first time," she said.

The MPT3 team was recently set up at St Woolos Hospital, in Newport - officially launched by Assembly Health Minister Dr Brian Gibbons. There is also a service at Ystrad Mynach Hospital and County Hospital, Griffithstown. The three sites could see up to 1,000 patients each per year.

"We provide a local service for patients, so patients don't have to go to the Royal Gwent or Nevill Hall," said Lorraine Warr.

"We deal with problems relating to joints and muscle tissue, and back pain. Often, people with these problems don't need to see an orthopaedic consultant, but in the past have been put on these waiting-lists. Often they wait a long time only to find they did not need to see an orthopaedic specialist.

"We will see patients with anything from a sprained ankle that might still be causing problems after several weeks, to people with new or recurring back pain. I see all referrals then choose the right person for the patient to see." Newport and Torfaen Local Health Boards are funding the service with Assembly money for issues arising from the Wanless Review of Health and Social Care in Wales.