The spinal unit at Salisbury District Hospital, widely regarded as one of the country’s leading centres for spinal cord injury (SCI) care, has come under the spotlight as proposals to shift services, including elements to South Newton, prompt questions about long-term quality and access.
At the same time, MPs and clinicians are warning that planned national changes could fragment services and put decades of clinical expertise at risk.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Spinal Cord Injury has issued a stark warning that new commissioning arrangements could dismantle the current model of specialist care in England.
South Newton Hospital. (Image: Christie & Co)
Under NHS England proposals, responsibility for spinal injury services will move from national oversight to 36 regional Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) by April 2027.
The APPG argues this shift risks creating a “postcode lottery”, with patients facing inconsistent standards of care depending on where they live.
Their findings highlight that the current system is already under strain. Only one in five patients referred to specialist centres are admitted for rehabilitation, while others experience delays or are treated in hospitals without the necessary expertise.
Locally, Salisbury’s spinal unit has long been seen as a centre of excellence, attracting patients from across the country and playing a key role in the network of specialist SCI services.
But proposals to reconfigure services and relocate some provision have sparked concern among stakeholders, with fears that the unit’s expertise could be diluted.
Salisbury MP John Glen said he has been closely monitoring the situation.
He said: “Salisbury’s spinal unit is rightly highly regarded for its expertise and the dedication of its staff.”
Salisbury District Hospital (Image: Newsquest)
“Locally, I have been keen to scrutinise the rationale for moving services to South Newton and seeking assurances that its high standards will be maintained.
“But the APPG on Spinal Cord Injury, of which I am a member, has been hearing clear evidence that too many patients across the country still experience delays, fragmented pathways and inconsistent access to specialist care depending on where they live.
“The evidence points towards the need for stronger national coordination and consistency of standards, so that every person with a spinal cord injury can access high-quality lifelong care regardless of geography.”
The APPG report estimates around 105,000 people are living with spinal cord injuries in the UK, with a new injury occurring every two hours.
The APPG has called for spinal injury services to remain nationally commissioned and for mandatory standards to ensure consistent, high-quality care across England.