Getting It Right First Time, January 2019
- The report focuses on spinal emergency conditions such as spinal cord injury and spinal infection, in addition to the management of common conditions such as back and radicular pain (sciatica).
- The report shows that in 2017/18 the NHS carried out 52,523 surgical procedures on the spine.
- Key recommendations include:
- Referral without delay to 24-hour MRI scanning in all hospitals for patients with suspected cauda equina syndrome (a spinal emergency which can lead to limb paralysis and permanent loss of bowel and bladder function if not treated quickly);
- All major trauma centres to have the ability 24/7 to stabilise and decompress the spine in patients with fractured and dislocated spines;
- Suggested changes to the referral pathway of paediatric spinal deformity patients to enable children to be treated close to home where appropriate but at a centre
- with the shortest waiting time;
- Better recording of implants, their use and patient outcomes.
- It is estimated the recommendations could deliver cost efficiencies of up to £27m.
