Orthopaedics – Spinal Fusions

Spinal fusion is an orthopaedic surgical procedure that joins two or more bones in the spine together to reduce movement between them. There is currently no harmonised Central East ICB clinical policy. Local area policies transferred to Central East ICB are available where these exist.

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.

Information:

Currently there is not a single clinical policy for spinal fusions, that applies to people across the whole Central East area.

Where a legacy Integrated Care Board (ICB) had an agreed clinical policy on spinal fusions, 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 spinal fusions, support for patients in that area will be based on a routine commissioning pathway.

Local clinical policy positions for spinal fusions

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes

Back pain non-specific low back pain BLMK policy v3.0

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Spinal-Surgery-Low-Back-Pain-Jan-2024-V13

Hertfordshire and West Essex

No Policy (Routine Commissioning Pathway)