CONTROVERSIAL plans to limit the number of back pain injections given to patients in East Lancashire have been defended by health chiefs.

But one sufferer, who has been given relief from serious spinal problems for nearly 20 years through the procedures, believes many may be affected by the health commissioners’ ruling.

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Bosses at Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) issued a joint statement, revealing that spinal or facet joint injections for chronic lower back pain were being stopped.

They blamed one unnamed hospital in particular for “unexpectedly high” numbers receiving the back pain injections and confirmed they were being withdrawn after guidance was sought from NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

However retired medical receptionist Audrey Saurin, 64, from Lower Darwen, who receives quarterly injections under a consultant at Beardwood Hospital, has questioned the decision.

“Without them I would not only be confined to my bed but left in tremendous pain,” she said.

Her next course is due in January and she was been left facing an £800-plus bill to continue with the treatment privately.

She added: “I’m going to have to pay but there will be many people who just can’t afford to do the same and that’s who I feel sorry for.

“One of the things I also can’t understand is why they apparently won’t talk to the consultants who are undertaking this service.”

She has been referred back to her GP, ostensibly for a physiotherapy check, before she can be referred back to her consultant. This is despite suffering from a recognised long-term condition.

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire CCGs said the NICE advice warned against the lower back pain injections “as this type of treatment is not considered to be clinically effective.”

“It would not be in the best interest of the patients for the CCG to continue to buy treatments where there is no evidence of their benefit or effectiveness,” added the spokesman.

“Our aim is to ensure patients are offered treatments that are effective, and that they are supported with the right treatments. For chronic low back pain, there is a range of treatments and services that are available, and we are working with providers to ensure that patients are offered this range of treatments.”