AS one of the patients who has received the facet joint injections in the past for congenital and skeletal problems, and has now been denied the procedure, I would like to comment.

I have had the so-called “back trouble” for 55 years. Sufferers know these injections are not a miracle cure, but help greatly in making daily life more bearable.

Having attended the recent meeting of the pain support group, which representatives of the primary care trust attended, I listened with great interest as they put their point of view, but not once was “quality of life” mentioned.

I have been referred for other forms of so-called “treatment” over the years, before being referred for injections.

The NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) email to Gordon Hart of the York and District Pain Management Support Group (Pain jabs decision defended by chiefs, The Press, March 20) specifically states that “patients who have known cause for pain or who have had pain for longer than a year” were explicitly excluded from the scope of the guideline. However, the primary care trust for York and North Yorkshire has not acknowledged this fact.

I think my 55 years of known cause of pain qualifies, and I might add it was suggested that I sell my house and move to Pocklington, Driffield or Wetherby, where the treatment is available, but at 80 years old I shall not be doing that. Is this the postcode lottery?

Name and address supplied.