Advancing Spinal Care Across Our Region

Connecting healthcare professionals to improve outcomes for spinal patients in North East London and South Essex

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About Our Network

Welcome to the North East London and South Essex Spinal Network. Our Network comprises of two major spinal and neurosurgery centres in East London and two major spinal centres in Essex.

The North East London and South Essex Spinal Network works with the hospitals and the following Integrated Care Systems (ICS):

Our vision is to improve equity of access to excellent care for patients presenting with spinal conditions via an elective pathway or as an emergency, and to reduce variation in clinical practice between providers within the network. We do this by helping define standards, pathways and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

All networks have an important role in delivering the triple aim:

Learn More About Our Work

Clinical Resources, Guidelines and Pathways

Pathways

North East London and South Essex Spinal Pathway

Recommended for use by NHS Trusts within the Network. Access our interactive North East London and South Essex Spinal Pathway to guide step-by-step management of spinal conditions across primary, community and secondary care settings

Launch Pathway Tool

North East London and South Essex MSCC Pathway

Access the Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression (MSCC) pathway and contact details for the co-ordinators across the region.

Launch MSCC Pathway Tool

Suspected Cauda Equina Pathway

GIRFT national pathway for suspected cauda equina syndrome.

View Document

Vertebral Fragility Fracture Pathway

GIRFT pathway for vertebral fracture management.

View Document

Guidelines

Spinal Surgery Day Case Discectomy

Guidelines for day surgery discectomy procedures.

View Document

Further Faster Handbook: Adult Spinal surgery

GIRFT guide to reduce waiting times

View Document

Spinal Surgery Specialty Page

GIRFT spinal surgery specialty information.

Visit Page

Spinal Injection Policies

Regional policies and guidelines for spinal injections.

Herts & West Essex ICB North East London ICB Mid & South Essex ICS
All ICB's Policy Summary

Data and Implementation

Virtual Triage Implementation in Spinal Services

Read about the implementation of virtual triage in spinal services at Royal London Hospital.

View Implementation Document

Spinal Network Research

Latest Research Publications

Access the latest research publications from our network members and collaborators.

Surgical outcomes of unilateral painful foot drop secondary to lumbar disc herniation Long-term outcomes of minimally invasive versus open lumbar discectomy Predictive factors for postoperative pain relief after lumbar decompression surgery Cervical spine surgery outcomes in elderly patients Comparative effectiveness of different surgical approaches for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis Risk factors for adjacent segment disease after lumbar fusion Machine learning prediction of surgical outcomes in spinal deformity correction

Spinal Surgical Patient Information Leaflets

Patient Information Resources

Access comprehensive patient information booklets about various spinal conditions and surgical procedures from the British Association of Spine Surgeons.

View Patient Leaflets

Spine School - Surgical Education

Educational Resources for Spinal Surgery

The Network Spine School video is an educational presentation on what to expect when having surgery. If you have any questions, please ask your spinal surgeon or their team

Spinal Surgery Video

Educational video for patients and professionals

Spine Network Conferences

Annual Conference Series

The North East London and South Essex Network hosts two major conferences each year, bringing together spinal care professionals from across the region to share knowledge, discuss emerging trends, and collaborate on improving patient outcomes.

Spring Conference - TBC

Autumn Conference - Friday 13th November

Friday 13th November at the Hyatt Hotel Stratford Westfield, focusing on clinical outcomes and network developments.

Example of a past agenda:

Example of a past Autumn Conference agenda

Contact the Network

Network Leads

Ahmed Sadek

Clinical Lead

Clare Singh

Network Manager

Phil Barber

Pathways Lead

Luke Wilson

MDT Co-ordinator