Prove you're sick enough for surgery: Cash-strapped NHS trust introduces rationing for common children's conditions

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 06:39 EDT, 28 May 2010

Children will be some of the first victims of NHS cuts after one health trust introduced rationing for common operations.

Young patients suffering from tonsillitis will only be allowed to have their tonsils out if they have suffered at least five bouts in the last year.

They will also have to show that the condition is affecting their lives before qualifying for surgery in Greater Manchester.

Rationing: Tonsillitis is one of the most common childhood conditions to require surgery

Operations to fit uder 12s with grommets - tiny plastic tubes used to treat ear infections where fluid continues to build up - and to remove non-cancerous warts, corns and cysts will also be rationed.

For adults, health bosses will no longer pay for surgery for mild varicose veins and the removal of non-impacted wisdom teeth - unless circumstances are 'exceptional'.

Other operations on the 'banned list' are breast enlargement and reduction, hair loss procedures, and laser treatment for tattoos and birthmarks.

Health chiefs are hoping the move will save millions of pounds.

But Alan Johnson, president of ENT-UK, which is made up of ear, nose and throat specialists, said: 'The NHS is presenting the image of 'business as usual' to the public while plans are well under way to radically reduce access to effective treatments to save money.  

'This lack of transparency is unfair on patients and doctors.

'We all recognise that the current financial situation is difficult and that savings are going to be needed, but there should be an open discussion involving the public, patients and experts when it comes to discussions about what treatments the NHS should and should not pay for.

'Cutting services may save some money, but will also deny many patients access to effective treatments.'

Greater Manchester's ten primary care trusts are now reviewing the new rules, which are expected to come into force in the autumn.

The news comes just months after it emerged the NHS in Greater Manchester had been told to save £950m over the next four years.

In the last financial year, the NHS in the region spent £2.4m on 2,936 tonsil ops, £1.8m fitting 2,331 children with grommets, and £1.3m treating severe varicose veins.  

A document outlining the new policy, called Effective Use of Resources, says: 'Purchasing services that are not of great health benefit uses resources that could be spent on services for people in greatest need.

'This ongoing process aims to reduce the number of unwarranted procedures to free up resources that can be used more effectively to improve health.' 

The policy has been drawn up by the Association of Greater Manchester Primary Care Trusts. Warren Heppolette, director of the association said: 'Savings are not the driver for this, but the adoption of best evidence in clinical decision making.

'Hopefully we will find it is a way of releasing resources for high-value treatment.'  

Proposed cuts in health spending are already beginning to bite across the region.Salford Royal bosses say they will cut 750 jobs before 2014.