About the National Spine Network (NSN)

Vision:

Objectives:

• To facilitate, share, and collaborate on projects that improve spinal care for patients across the UK.
• To promote equitable and inclusive delivery of spinal services, ensuring fair access and outcomes for all.
• To foster and strengthen professional networks among spinal clinicians and stakeholders at both regional and national levels.
• To encourage the exchange of service delivery models, clinical knowledge, and innovative ideas to enhance spinal care pathways.
• To organise and host educational events, including an annual study day and other opportunities for learning and engagement.
• To develop and maintain strong relationships with other spinal societies, including active contributions to the UK Spine Societies Board (UKSSB).
• To support the implementation and dissemination of the National Back and Radicular Pain Pathway (NBRPP) across healthcare systems.
• To support and collaborate with NHS England Regional Spinal Networks in aligning national strategy with local delivery.
• To address and eradicate health inequalities across spinal care pathways, embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles in all activities.

Background:

The NHS England Trauma Programme of Care Board selected low back pain and radicular pain as a pathfinder project in 2013. A clinical group of 30 stakeholder representatives worked collaboratively to produce an agreed, seamless pathway, extending from first contact in primary care through to secondary care and specialist services. The first pathway produced in 2014 was updated in 2017 following the publication of NICE NG59.

Regional specialised commissioning teams worked collaboratively with the transformation team in each CCG to support implementation across England. Independent evaluation of the Northeast pathway demonstrated clinical benefit and cost savings in their population.

In 2017, the UK Spine Societies Board supported the foundation of the National Back Pain - Clinical Network (NBP-CN) to support health care professionals who have responsibility for the organisation and delivery of back pain services.

In 2019-2020, NBP-CN was instrumental in developing the NBP-CN Early Recognition of Cauda Equina Syndrome: A Framework for Assessment and Referral for Primary care / MSK interface services which was launched in 2020.

In 2021, NBP-CN began to collaborate with GIRFT and NHSEngland in the BestMSKHealth Spinal programme, contributing to the development of community and hospital spinal pathways, MRI advice leaflets, CES pathways, and more.

In 2022, the NBP-CN rebranded as the National Spine Network (NSN) and reorganised to increase collaboration with Regional Spinal networks to continue improve spinal care nationally.

Membership:

Membership of the group is open to Healthcare Professionals, from a range of professions, who have a special interest in spinal assessment, management and delivery of care and those interested in joining a dynamic professional group who share their passion for best practice.

The network currently has members, from a range of professions, including:
Physiotherapists, Surgeons, Nurses, Commissioners, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Researchers and more!

Joining the NSN:

If you are a clinician who is delivering spinal care in the UK, then the NSN is made up of people just like you. We would welcome you to join us and become part of a dedicated multi-professional community, who share a common vision collaborating and implementing the National Back and Radicular Pain Pathway (NBRPP)and improving spinal care in the UK.

Your subscription will support the ongoing growth of the network; organisation and delivery of conference and training; promote local and regional networking opportunities; helping improve spinal care nationally through cooperation and teamwork.

Join the NSN