The Orthopaedic Integrated Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (ICATS) is designed to help orthopaedic patients get the most appropriate treatment, care and support. Combining expertise from a range of musculoskeletal disciplines, the team ensures that only those patients who require surgery are referred to see a Consultant Surgeon, while those who do not require surgery receive the appropriate care and support.
The ICATS team brings together expertise from a range of musculoskeletal services to provide specialist assessment, advice and appropriate management such as podiatry, physiotherapy or injection therapy. Where needed, the team may also refer patients on to an Orthopaedic Surgeon, other healthcare speciality or back to the patient’s GP for holistic management.
Belfast ICATS manage approx. 7,000 New Orthopaedic Outpatients per year and 17,000 reviews and treatments. Over 75% of referrals received by ICATS are managed and discharged – providing quicker, more appropriate care to patients while also reducing the wait for those who do need to an Orthopaedic Consultant.
How to access the Service
The ICATS service is usually accessed via GP referral. Your GP will refer you to the Musgrave Park Hospital Orthopaedic Triage Service and according to your clinical need you will be assessed by the ICATS team or referred to an Orthopaedic Consultant.
To access this service, please make an appointment to talk to your GP.
Seeing the ICATS team
If you have been referred by your GP to ICATS, you will receive an appointment letter from us. After initial assessment by ICATS patients may be:
- Advised and discharged
- Offered ICATS Physiotherapy / Podiatry / Injection treatments
- Referred for further tests such as x-ray, MRI
- Referred to other services such as Pain Clinic, Sports Medicine
- Referred to see an Orthopaedic Consultant
Location and Contact
ICATS clinics are mostly held in our Community Wellbeing & Treatment Centres. Further information, contact details and maps can be found here: