BBK Manifesto: Provide funding for the National Suspected Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) Pathway
Hospitals are failing to implement a vital clinical protocol to diagnose and treat patients with the spinal emergency condition Cauda Equina Syndrome due to a lack of adequate equipment.
What is CES and why does the pathway mater?
CES (Cauda Equina Syndrome) is a spinal surgical emergency that can lead to lower limb paralysis and loss of bowel, bladder and sexual function. Cauda Equina Syndrome requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage.
The GIRFT (Getting it Right First Time) National Suspected Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) Pathway was introduced in February 2023 and is designed to reduce the delays in diagnosis and treatment for patients presenting with CES.
Proper implementation of the pathway is vital as early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for a better outcome. Not only are the impacts of CES devastating for the individual but failure to identify and treat CES is also costing the NHS millions each year in compensation claims.
Our campaign
At the end of 2023, we wrote to NHS Trusts across England regarding the implementation of the GIRFT (Getting it Right First Time) National Suspected Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) Pathway.
The responses we have received have confirmed our concerns that, despite being launched over a year ago the vast majority of trusts have still not implemented the GIRFT pathway.
Our findings
As of March 2024, we received 67 responses from NHS trusts across England. From the responses, seven were not relevant. Out of the relevant responses we received, just 20% of trusts had implemented the pathway, 18% had not yet but planned to do so in the future and 62% had not implemented the pathway nor did they plan to.
Of those who responded almost 40% specifically highlighted the lack of 24-hour access to MRI machines as a reason they could not implement this strategy as well as cost and resourcing pressures.
What are we calling for?
We know that full implementation of the GIRFT pathway is vital to ensuring early diagnosis of CES. That is why we are working with our charity partner Cauda Equina Spinal Cord Injury (CESCI) group to ask the next Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to:
- Write to all trusts to request they implement the strategy.
- Provide financial support for those trusts that do not yet have the resources to provide 24-hour MRI support.
- Meet with BBK and our charity partner Cauda Equina Spinal Cord Injury (CESCI) group to discuss the importance of the pathway and other challenges facing this community.
This blog is part of our #ChampioningChange Campaign, specifically, Bolt Burdon Kemp LLP’s 2024 Manifesto for Injured People. In this campaign we call for politicians and candidates to prioritise injured people as they go into the 2024 General Election. This work is informed by our clients’ experiences and our partnerships with charities which support our clients and others like them. If you would like to read more about our full manifesto you can do so here.
