Major changes will be made to orthopaedic services at hospitals after a multimillion-pound contract was awarded to a private health firm.

Bupa will soon manage Musculoskeletal (MSK) services across West Sussex after getting a £235 million deal from Coastal West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

In partnership with Central Health Surrey, Bupa will take over MSK services previously managed by Western Sussex NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust. The affected hospitals include St Richard’s in Chichester, Southlands in Shoreham and Worthing Hospital.

Coastal West Sussex CCG said the current MSK service was “disjointed” as patients were referred to “many organisations” during their care.

Under new plans, patients will be referred to “one single team” under a new way of working designed to “reduce bureaucracy and speed up the patient journey”.

Mike Jennings, commercial director at Western Sussex NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, said: “We provide excellent MSK services, which include planned hip and knee surgery, rheumatology, physiotherapy and pain management services.

“The trust submitted a strong and realistic bid, in partnership with other NHS and not-for profit organisations to be the area’s prime provider, based on sound clinical expertise, direct patient feedback and our unique understanding of local communities.

“We are disappointed with the decision and have requested further details to understand the full impact for patients, staff and services.”

Musculoskeletal services treat any conditions that affect muscles, bones and joints. MSK pain is the most frequently reported health complaint in the UK, with statistics showing at least 50% of the population reporting MSK symptoms at least once a month.

Dr Katie Armstrong, clinical chief officer of NHS Coastal West Sussex CCG said: “Our new partner impressed the evaluation panel by continuously demonstrating that the patient will be at the centre of everything in place.

“I am confident that once bedded in the new service will quickly deliver excellent quality and value and am encouraged that as we do, the provider will see their patients as partners in their care going forward.”

Coastal West Sussex CCG could not say whether job numbers would be affected as a result of the move.

A CCG spokeswoman said: “The preferred provider will now have discussions with local NHS trusts in relation to how to provide services locally – including staffing arrangements.”