COMPLEX spinal surgery is likely to remain suspended for at least another year at Warrington Hospital, the Guardian understands.

All spinal surgery was stopped at the hospital in September after four serious incidents in six months, including two deaths and two patients who were left with nerve damage after operations.

Hospital bosses and Warrington CCG, which commissions the hospital to carry out the treatment, decided to suspend the service at the time and asked the Royal College of Surgeons to carry out a review, held in early November.

The Warrington Guardian understands its final report is due  by early next year but preliminary feedback was given to the trust and the CCG last month in a letter seen by the newspaper.

It states that: 

Complex spinal surgery should remain suspended for the foreseeable future (at least a year)

 Non-complex surgery should remain suspended for the short-term until strict conditions are met.

The report criticised clinical leadership at the hospital, governance processes and anomalies in individual clinical practice.

In the meantime all patients due to be seen at the hospital this month have been told their treatment will take place elsewhere – largely Salford or Walton.

New patients are being referred back to their GPs who will then refer them to another provider.

Professor Simon Constable, executive medical director at the hospital, said: “Following the decision to temporarily suspend our spinal surgery services, we invited the Royal College of Surgeons to conduct an independent, expert review of this service. 

“The review will look at the trust’s entire spinal service and the four serious, but unconnected incidents, involving spinal surgery patients in a six-month period this year. The RCS started its review at Warrington on November 2 and 3 and until this review is complete and the report received our spinal service remains suspended.

“The safety and welfare of our patients that have undergone or were planned to receive spinal procedures remains our key priority. Contact with these patients continues as we work to support them in their decision making and effect, where chosen, their safe transfer to alternative providers.

“At this time it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

A spokesman for NHS Warrington CCG said: “Ensuring that patients receive the best possible care and outcomes in a safe environment remains our number one priority.

“Since the suspension of the service we have been working with the trust and other approved providers of spinal surgery services to ensure the smooth and safe transfer of all patients.

“While we await the final report and recommendations of the Royal College of Surgeons, the service will remain suspended.

“All patients due to be seen between December 1 and December 31 should have received a letter and contact from the new provider. Those patients due to be seen from January 1 will receive a communication three or four weeks before their expected appointment date.

“We understand that this may cause some concern, however we want to reassure people actions have been taken to ensure all patients are seen by the new providers as soon as possible and in line with their expected appointment date.”