RCS comment on proposals by Devon CCG to limit access to surgical services

Commenting on the new Devon CCGs proposals to limit access to surgical services, Miss Clare Marx, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, said:

“Access to routine surgery should always be based on an individual’s clinical need . The Government has been clear that restricting clinically necessary treatment on the basis of financial considerations is unacceptable. We urge the Department of Health and NHS England to review the situation in Devon if the CCG is indeed intending to deny patients treatment without enabling the clinicians and patients involved to make informed choices about their care.

Patients should be encouraged  by their surgeons to take positive steps to improve their own health, especially where it can improve the outcome of their surgery.  Evidence-based guidance should be used when determining the provision of surgery. For example it is unacceptable for any CCG to have a blanket ban on elective surgery for people above a certain weight – a patient may have made substantial efforts and been successful in losing weight but in some cases it might be difficult for a patient to continue to lose weight without, for example, a hip or knee operation.

We produce clear commissioning guidance accredited by NICE to support CCGs when commissioning surgery. Please access the full guidance here.”

Notes to editors

The Royal College of Surgeons of England is committed to enabling surgeons to achieve and maintain the highest standards of surgical practice and patient care. Registered charity number: 212808.

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