The information requested on the number of people treated with back problems in the national health service is not collected centrally as back pain sufferers are normally treated in a primary care environment. The Hospital Episode Statistics data are able to give information on hospital admissions only, where clinical codes exist.
It is the responsibility of primary care trusts to commission services for people with back problems to meet the needs of their local population. The Department is supporting commissioning through the recent publication of an 18-week pathway for the management and treatment of back pain and treatments. NHS Choices has also provided information that will raise awareness of back pain and treatments.