"MRI referral system - getting a better diagnosis"

The physiotherapy team have been very supportive of me during my recovery. It took six months (January-July 2018) for me to walk unaided after a prolapsed disc and once my physio referral came through the hydrotherapy provided by the NHS made a big difference to this.

My issue is with NHS policy on whether an MRI referral is needed in instances where pain is chronic (i.e. lasts more than 3 months) and is neuropathic.

Funding should be available for MRIs for people who are struggling with getting back to work and getting back to

normal daily activities after a considerable amount of time. Because there's most likely a complex reason for a delayed recovery.

I am now in debt paying privately for my MRI. But at least I found out the reason for my slipped disc is mechanical, to do with the design of my back. This has implications for my treatment moving forward, my physio/exercise plan and daily management. NHS missed this and attempted to treat me without a proper diagnosis nor without understanding the cause of my back pain. 2 NHS Doctors recommended I have an MRI and this was refused by the physio team.

An MRI should be considered for people who do not recover with nerve pain after several months. And Doctors working within the NHS should have their requests for MRI for patients accepted. Because a diagnosis is what I had expected bare minimum from the NHS at the beginning of my recovery.