What are the recommended referral criteria for a patient with spina bifida to a specialist service?

For patients diagnosed with a spinal cord injury, which includes conditions such as spina bifida, referral to a specialist service is a critical component of their care ¹,².

Specifically, for individuals with a spinal cord injury, ongoing contact with the regional specialist spinal cord injury centre should be established, and a referral should be made using the national spinal injuries database within 24 hours of diagnosis ¹. All people who have a spinal cord injury should receive a lifetime of personalised care that is guided by a spinal cord injury centre ².

Additionally, advice from the regional specialist spinal cord injury centre outreach team should be sought throughout the person's inpatient stay and at discharge to support their rehabilitation ¹. For children and young people with a spinal cord injury, referral to specialist play services and education services is recommended to support their emotional, physical, and educational development and wellbeing ¹.