Safety recommendation
HSIB recommends that NHS England and NHS Improvement develops a national cauda equina syndrome pathway. This should define the safety-critical elements of the pathway and highlight areas that can be adapted locally
Response:
Following publication of the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) national report for spinal services and the HSIB 2021 investigation into the safety risks of suspected Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) patients, there has been a significant focus on CES, as per the recommendations outlined in both documents.
A national suspected CES pathway has now been developed and published by GIRFT and the former BestMSK programme with input from a multidisciplinary group of more than 60 health professionals, and co-badging from partner organisations including the Royal College of Radiologists, British Association of Spinal Surgeons, British Orthopaedic Association, National Spine Network, Cauda Equina Champions Charity, British Society of Skeletal Radiologists, British Association of Urological Surgeons and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
The pathway has been well received and spinal colleagues nationally are now keen to implement this in order to diagnose and treat the condition without delay and improve patient outcomes.
Response received on 5 April 2023.