JUST a note re your article about the new spinal unit at the Nuffield Hospital and its inference (The Press, January 11).

A lot of people including my GP thought after reading this article that the Nuffield were going to take work on for the NHS for people with spinal problems.

It even indicated that it would save journeys to spinal units in the North East and West Yorkshire.

I have been told that they are not taking NHS patients and will only do surgery on private or self-pay patients, so the article has given people like myself unfounded hope.

I have been travelling to Stockton on Tees about six times a year for four years and this story made me feel that at last York NHS Trust had listened to patients and done something positive. Sadly this is not the case.

Name and address supplied

Editor’s note: We apologise for any confusion over this matter, which came about as a spokesperson for Nuffield Health York had said NHS patients could be referred to the service.

A spokesperson for Nuffield Hospital said: “The new spinal service at Nuffield Health York Hospital is for self-pay and private patients only, available through direct arrangement with Nuffield Health.

“It is not currently available through NHS referral.

“We apologise for the error.”