Clinical policies aim to prevent avoidable harm to patients by only offering treatments on the NHS that are evidence-based, clinically safe and effective, as well as cost effective and a good use of resources.
Currently there is not a single clinical policy for lumbar discectomy, that applies to people across the whole Central East area.
Where a legacy Integrated Care Board (ICB) had an agreed clinical policy on lumbar discectomy, this policy transferred to Central East ICB on 1 April 2026. Previously agreed policies will continue to apply only to people living in that former ICB’s area until any new policy is adopted by NHS Central East ICB.
Where an area doesn’t have a previously agreed policy on lumbar discectomy, support for patients in that area will be based on a routine commissioning pathway.
Local clinical policy positions for lumbar discectomy
Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes
Back pain with sciatica BLMK policy v3.0
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Spinal-Surgery-Low-Back-Pain-Jan-2024-V13
Hertfordshire and West Essex
No Policy (Routine Commissioning Pathway)