The back pain clinic at the Royal Free Hospital, run by an extended scope physiotherapist, has closed.

Degenerative or musculoskeletal back pain referrals should now be submitted via the spinal clinical assessment service, Central London Community Healthcare Trust, or other similar community musculoskeletal clinical assessment and triage services in the first instance.

All referrals will be triaged, and those deemed clinically appropriate will be forwarded to the spinal services for further management. Referrals sent via e-Referral Service directly to rheumatology services will not be accepted.

GPs are asked to refer patients to one of the community MSK services:

• Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
• Enfield MSK CATS Integrated Service (Physiotherapy at North Middlesex Hospital, Chase Farm).

Rheumatology services continue to see patients with suspected inflammatory back pain via consultant-led clinics.

This change does not affect Royal Free London's (RFL's) First Contact Practitioner service, which continues to operate.

This news item was updated on Thursday 23 July 2026 to include clarification that the closure of the RFH Back Clinic under e-RS Rheumatology does not affect the RFL's First Contact Practitioner service, which continues to operate.