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| NHS England to stop 'ineffective' treatments | NHS England to stop 'ineffective' treatments |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Tonsils removal, breast reductions and snoring surgery will be offered to far fewer patients from next year, under plans being drawn up by NHS England. | Tonsils removal, breast reductions and snoring surgery will be offered to far fewer patients from next year, under plans being drawn up by NHS England. |
| Officials are to discuss proposals to stop or reduce 17 routine procedures deemed to be "ineffective or risky". | Officials are to discuss proposals to stop or reduce 17 routine procedures deemed to be "ineffective or risky". |
| The treatment will be offered only if it is judged to be of "compelling" benefit and there are no alternatives. | The treatment will be offered only if it is judged to be of "compelling" benefit and there are no alternatives. |
| NHS England said the move would affect about 100,000 people every year and free up an estimated £200m. | NHS England said the move would affect about 100,000 people every year and free up an estimated £200m. |
| It follows reviews last year to save £190m from supplying over-the-counter medications and treatments described as "low value". | It follows reviews last year to save £190m from supplying over-the-counter medications and treatments described as "low value". |
| NHS England says for most of the 17 procedures under consideration, alternative treatments including physiotherapy, a minor injection or change of diet are likely to be effective. | NHS England says for most of the 17 procedures under consideration, alternative treatments including physiotherapy, a minor injection or change of diet are likely to be effective. |
| NHS England national medical director Prof Stephen Powis said: "If we want the very best clinical care for our patients, we need to stop putting them through treatments where risks and harms outweigh the benefits. | NHS England national medical director Prof Stephen Powis said: "If we want the very best clinical care for our patients, we need to stop putting them through treatments where risks and harms outweigh the benefits. |
| "By reducing unnecessary or risky procedures for some patients we can get better outcomes while reducing waste and targeting resource to where it is most needed." | "By reducing unnecessary or risky procedures for some patients we can get better outcomes while reducing waste and targeting resource to where it is most needed." |
| The plans have the backing of health professionals and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which advises on the clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of treatments. | The plans have the backing of health professionals and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which advises on the clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of treatments. |
| But patients at risk of serious harm from their condition will continue to be offered treatment. | But patients at risk of serious harm from their condition will continue to be offered treatment. |
| It is proposed four treatments will only be offered only when a patient makes an individual request. | It is proposed four treatments will only be offered only when a patient makes an individual request. |
| These include surgery for snoring, where there is said to be only limited clinical evidence of effectiveness and which poses significant risks to patients. | These include surgery for snoring, where there is said to be only limited clinical evidence of effectiveness and which poses significant risks to patients. |
| The others are: dilatation and curettage for heavy menstrual bleeding, knee arthroscopies for osteoarthritis and injections for non-specific back pain. | The others are: dilatation and curettage for heavy menstrual bleeding, knee arthroscopies for osteoarthritis and injections for non-specific back pain. |
| A further 13 procedures will only to be offered when specific criteria are met: | |
| NHS England chief executive Simon Stephens says with more money committed by the government the health service must now work harder to tackle waste and reinvest savings. | |
| He said: "The NHS is already independently ranked as one of the most efficient health services in the world. | He said: "The NHS is already independently ranked as one of the most efficient health services in the world. |
| "Precisely because the NHS is owned by the public, all the savings we now make will be directly reinvested in better frontline cancer, mental health and other critical services." | "Precisely because the NHS is owned by the public, all the savings we now make will be directly reinvested in better frontline cancer, mental health and other critical services." |
| NHS England plans to consult publicly on the proposals between 4 July and 28 September, with changes planned to start in 2019-20. | NHS England plans to consult publicly on the proposals between 4 July and 28 September, with changes planned to start in 2019-20. |
| Academy of Medical Royal Colleges chairwoman Prof Carrie MacEwen said: "These are evidence based proposals which have been subject to clinical scrutiny. | Academy of Medical Royal Colleges chairwoman Prof Carrie MacEwen said: "These are evidence based proposals which have been subject to clinical scrutiny. |
| "The Academy of Medical Colleges supports the overall programme which will benefit patients, clinicians and the NHS as a whole by reducing harm and targeting those who will benefit most." | "The Academy of Medical Colleges supports the overall programme which will benefit patients, clinicians and the NHS as a whole by reducing harm and targeting those who will benefit most." |