People across west Norfolk are benefiting from quicker treatment for low back pain.
The West Norfolk and Wisbech Clinical Commissioning Consortium launched the new standardised service in February and it is already reaping results.
So far 453 patients have made use of the service.
Under the new service, patients who visit their GP with low back pain are given painkillers and a leaflet detailing beneficial exercises. This enables them to keep active during the first two weeks of their symptoms.
If symptoms persist, the situation is then reviewed and the GP refers the patient through NHS Norfolk’s Choose and Book service to a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath for further treatment.
Patients who have ‘red flag’ signs, such as spinal cord compression, serious neurological symptoms or suspected cancer, are referred directly to Mamoun Abdel-Gadir, an orthopaedic consultant at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn.
Previously, when patients had sought advice from their GP about low back pain, they were automatically been referred to a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath, which could involve a wait of up to 18 weeks.
This meant that patients were sometimes resting their backs. Not keeping active meant that their condition could then become chronic, and ultimately require more treatment.
Sharon Stevens, project manager at the West Norfolk and Wisbech Clinical Commissioning Consortium, said: “We have had fantastic feedback from patients to this new standardised service. If you have a bad back you want treatment early, and this is what we aim to give.”
Sue Crossman, Interim Chief Executive of the West Norfolk and Wisbech Clinical Commissioning Consortium, said: “This 18 month pilot aims to improve long term outcomes for patients with back pain, with quicker more sustainable recovery, reducing complications, time off work and associated psychological consequences.
“We will be evaluating the service in November to determine how effective the new pathway is.”
