Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy involves taking a small sample of a patient’s blood, concentrating the platelets, and reinjecting this plasma into an injured area. Platelets contain growth factors, which are proteins claimed to accelerate healing and tissue repair, particularly for joint and tendon issues. This regenerative medicine approach has gained public interest, raising questions about its availability and funding status within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
The Current NHS Stance on Platelet-Rich Plasma
Platelet-rich plasma injections are generally not routinely commissioned or funded by the NHS for most common musculoskeletal conditions, such as chronic tendinopathy or osteoarthritis. PRP is classified as a non-standard or developing treatment because it has not yet met the criteria for widespread public funding. While some NHS trusts may offer PRP in highly specific, consultant-led circumstances, the national default position is non-availability for routine patient care.
Funding decisions are made at a local level by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), which can lead to regional variation in access. However, patients should not typically expect their general practitioner (GP) to refer them for a funded PRP injection. The procedure is rarely considered a first-line treatment and is usually only explored after conventional options like physiotherapy and standard steroid injections have failed.
Understanding NICE Guidelines and Evidence Requirements
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) determines which treatments the NHS funds by assessing clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. The NHS requires robust, long-term evidence, often from large randomized controlled trials, to justify the widespread adoption of any new procedure. For many applications of PRP, this evidence base is considered insufficient or conflicting.
NICE guidance for specific conditions, such as knee osteoarthritis, notes that while the procedure raises no major safety concerns, the evidence regarding its efficacy is limited. Consequently, the guidance recommends that PRP should only be used under “special arrangements” for clinical governance, consent, and audit or research. This regulatory stance explains why PRP is not routinely funded: it has not definitively demonstrated sufficient value compared to established treatments.
Accessing PRP Outside of Standard NHS Provisions
For patients unable to receive the treatment via the standard NHS route, the most direct pathway is through self-funded private healthcare providers. Private hospitals and clinics across the UK offer PRP injections for various conditions, including sports injuries, joint pain, and cosmetic applications like hair loss. The cost for a single PRP injection typically ranges from £500 to £900.
Another alternative is to seek out NHS-affiliated clinical trials or research studies investigating the effectiveness of PRP. These studies provide a route to access the treatment free of charge while contributing to the evidence base required by NICE. While rare, an Individual Funding Request (IFR) may be submitted by a specialist for highly exceptional cases, though this process is highly restrictive and seldom approved.