Spinal Injuries: Health Services

While no formal assessment has been made of the adequacy of the availability of diagnostic and treatment pathways for spinal cord injury across integrated care boards (ICBs), NHS England Specialised Commissioning has a Clinical Reference Group (CRG) for rehabilitation and complex disability and spinal cord injury services. Specialist services for spinal cord injuries are commissioned in line with the service specification published by the CRG.

In March 2025, NHS England published the Spinal Services Clinical Network Specification, which establishes expectations for spinal clinical networks to standardise pathways and reduce variation, with the aim of improving access to care for patients.

The Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) Programme for spinal services is also driving service improvements and better care for patients with spinal cord injuries. GIRFT has worked with National Health Service trusts to showcase examples of best practice which other services can then learn from.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) also has guidance on the assessment and early management of spinal cord injuries, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng41

Additionally, last year, NICE published new guidance on rehabilitation for chronic neurological disorders, which includes rehabilitation for spinal cord injury. While NICE guidelines are not mandatory, the Government expects ICB commissioners to take them fully into account in designing services that meet the needs of their local population and to work towards their implementation over time.