The right Hon Earl Howe presented a report under the Department of Health entitled “Long term health conditions with Health and Social Care Integration”.
The report set out a strong case for how the NHS could save millions if it removed the historic barriers which have discouraged GPs from referring their patients to CAM and AHP Therapists.
More importantly if GPs created an effective Patient pathway using a fully Integrated care system prevention as well as treatment would rise to unprecedented levels of effective patient wellness.
For example if GPs worked with podiatrists to help treat patients with diabetes this in turn would lead to a drop in foot ulcers – which is a common complication for diabetic patients - and would reduce the incidents of foot amputations.
If you consider that there are almost six thousand foot or toe amputations in England every year, which carry an average cost of around £73,000 directly to the NHS , the potential savings could be well into £150 million. And that is just one example of the enormous cost plus benefit of encouraging GPs to work with Physiotherapists, dietitians, podiatrists, speech and language therapists, audiologists, acupuncturists and so on.
Harnessing the expertise and specialist medical treatments that CAM and Allied Health Professionals have to offer would have a dramatic impact on improving care for people with diabetes, cancer, musculoskeletal problems and stroke survivors etc. Even at a very basic level of first contact care the Savings estimated at current levels would exceed £30 million.

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Health Minister, Lord Howe said:
“Allied Health Professionals play a critical role in ensuring patients get integrated care so they recover quickly after treatment or can manage a long term condition successfully. Better integration of care is one of the key elements in the Health and Social Care Bill - not only does it improve the quality of patient care, but it can also save the NHS money.
“These online tools highlight some excellent examples of when and how Allied Health Professionals involvement can work and will help commissioners pinpoint opportunities for better integration of care”.
Shelia Stringer, Senior Physiotherapist and service manager at the Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust said:
“Although this was developed as a tool for commissioners it is so much more. It is a one stop shop of information and evidence that I hope will promote local discussions amongst all clinicians on how we can improve services for out patients and deliver the savings the NHS needs to achieve.” Richard Evans, Chief Executive of the Society and College of Radiographers said:
“AHPs in all their diversity have a vast amount to offer any healthcare system. In the UK it is it is very important that those who buy healthcare for patients fully understand what AHPs can provide in terms of improving the quality of care. “
The online tools provide case studies and examples from local NHS services who have made changes to services to optimise savings whilst ensuring the best quality of care for patients. Salford Royal NHS FT reorganised their foot care pathway for people with diabetes which included annual screening, a preventative foot care service for patients and education programmes making a potential saving of more than £1 million over four years. The Stroke REACH Early Discharge Scheme (Stroke REDS) in Camden, London was developed to provide seamless transfer of care from the hospital to the patient’s home reducing the average length of stay in hospital leading to a potential £307,000 in acute bed day costs.
Case Studies from the toolkits
*** Up to 4800 people with diabetes undergo leg, foot or toe amputation each year in England, which are probably preventable. Salford Royal NHS FT reorganised their foot care pathway for people with diabetes, which included annual screening, a preventative foot care service for patients and education programmes run by the staff. Their programme resulted in a 16% fall in number of amputations per 100,000 and number of foot ulcers fell from 900 (2006) to 600 (2010) making a saving of more than a million over four years.
*** Over 130,000 people have a stroke or mini-stroke each year and at least 300,000 people a year living with moderate to severe disabilities as a result of stroke. Rehabilitation after a stroke is vital to ensure the survivor regains as much independence as possible. The Stroke REACH Early Discharge Scheme (Stroke REDS) in Camden, London was developed too meet the needs of Camden stroke survivors. The early discharge scheme (EDS) aimed to provide seamless transfer of care from the hospital to the patients home. The team made up of professionals who specialise in stroke rehabilitation include speech and language therapist, physiotherapists and dieticians; provide care and support to ensure the stroke survivor regains as much independence as possible. From January 2009 to December 2009 the team had discharged and rehabilitated 57 in 12 months reducing the average length of stay in hospital by 10 days leading to a potential £307,000 in acute bed day costs.
*** Malnutrition costs the UK health economy around £13 billion every year. Improving the identification and treatment of malnutrition is estimated to have the third highest potential to deliver cost savings in the NHS.