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[CLKD]

It is proposed four treatments will 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.

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:

Breast reduction
Removal of benign skin lesions
Grommets for Glue Ear
Tonsillectomy for sore throats
Haemorrhoid surgery
Hysterectomy for heavy menstrual bleeding
Chalazia (lesions on eyelids) removal
Removal of bone spurs for shoulder pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome release
Dupuytren's contracture release for tightening of fingers
Ganglion excision - removal of noncancerous lumps on the wrist or hand
Trigger finger release
Varicose vein surgery

NHS England plans to consult publicly on the proposals between 4 July and 28 September, with changes planned to start in 2019-20.

[CLKD]

I do wonder sometimes whether when 'cuts' are suggested, that those considering those 'cuts' have actually suffered any of the conditions?!? or wether they are able to go to a Private Hospital to have these procedures?

It is proposed four treatments will 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.

The others are: dilatation and curettage for heavy menstrual bleeding - I would consider this essential surgery for many women

knee arthroscopies for osteoarthritis - during this procedure, should anything necessary be seen, it can be done at the same time which saves time and resources

and injections for non-specific back pain - chronic pain of any kind is wearying

A further 13 procedures will only to be offered when specific criteria are met: specific meaning what I wonder?

Breast reduction - if this is causing postural problems then I consider it worthwhile for those affected

Removal of benign skin lesions as long as they are truly benigh

Grommets for Glue Ear - this has been done for years with much success

Tonsillectomy for sore throats - the Jury has always been 'out' on this one

Haemorrhoid surgery - OUCH! this surely helps some?

Hysterectomy for heavy menstrual bleeding - if a woman would benefit, surely necessary?

Chalazia (lesions on eyelids) removal - seen as cosmetic surgery?

Removal of bone spurs for shoulder pain - in order to improve pain I would have thought this essential?

Carpal tunnel syndrome release - essential if pain affects sleep/work/life style.  This condition can be triggered by pregnancy and menopause

Dupuytren's contracture release for tightening of fingers - I would consider this essential, both for hand function and to help with pain relief

Ganglion excision - removal of noncancerous lumps on the wrist or hand - again, to improve pain and mobility of wrist and hand this should be considered.  Hitting it with the Family Bible doesn't work

Trigger finger release - obviously the person/s considering cut backs haven't suffered with this annoying condition

Varicose vein surgery - this has been gradually withdrawn from several Health Authorities already.  Wonder what would be suggested instead of surgical intervention?

 

[Smitten]

That's awful

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.

More cuts to our beloved NHS, I despair.

Looking at the list I'm reminded of my neighbour who had very painful varicose veins which throbbed and ached so much that she couldn't sleep, would she qualify for surgery now?

These conditions are so common that I'm sure we all know people who have benefited from treatment. Let's see, my husband had a bone spure in his shoulder removed, my SIL had a D&C and haemorrhage removal, my niece, tonsils, two friends carpal tunnel and another nieghbour finger trigger release. The grommets for glue ear is interesting because the young child who needed the procedure was diagnosed when his hearing loss was discovered in his first year at school. It seems this problem often occurs in the children of smokers and this boys father did smoke. The boys mother told me that there was a long waiting list but she had been  allowed to  jump the queue even though there were no special clinical reasons however she was a local GP so maybe that influenced the decision?

 A politician once warned that without the NHS we should all  avoid being old, sick or ordinary. I wonder how?

Sorry to be depressing and ranty ladies but what is happening is such a worry I think you'll agree.

Take care everyone.

K.

[jillydoll]

Everything is looking so glum.
Those poor, poor people who are suffering, in this day n age too,
it's just terrible.
So depressing..

[CLKD]

My thinking has always been: whether one opts for surgery via the NHS or a private scheme/hospital, having treatment sooner rather than later must be good for our Economy?!? - getting people treated, healed, back to work ............ less time spent on GP appts., pain relief, prescriptions .........

What would you be prepared to pay for?  Someone suggested recently that we should pay for a GP appt., I would suggest that those failing to attend should pay a fee.  As one does if one doesn't turn up for a dental appt..  Although our Surgery often shuts 'for training purposes' without warning .......... not even telling patients on their web-site 

I have been treated via both systems. 

[sheila99]

I've only had personal experience of two.
Daughter had glue ear when she was small (not related to smoking as neither of us smoke and she is never in a smokey envionment). We decided not to have grommets because of the increased risk of infection. It went away on it's own within a year (I believe in most cases it resolves itself).
I had surgery for a ganglion in my wrist. It came back again within a few weeks, just as they warned me it might. I have less mobility because of the scar. If I had to make the decision again I wouldn't have it done. 
Can't comment on the others but if there is a way to reduce pain it should be available.

[Salad]

I guess the current state of the NHS with it's over stretched staff and resources, this list was inevitable.

My ganglion removal and carpal tunnel release (same op) - meant I could care for my children, family and home again. Before the op I couldn't move my arm without pain or sleep properly. I couldn't take the lids of lidded cups, change nappies, bath or lift my children up.
I couldn't work my night shifts as a nurse or drive a car.
So for me, these minor operations were a life restorer.

I would support charging people for their missed appointments but struggle with the idea of charging for all appointments - on the whole we do not choose to be ill- I don't smoke or drink a lot of alcohol.

My friend went to her GP surgery last week for the first time in 8 years - I'm there so frequently my husband says I should have a loyalty card 

I love the NHS.

[Kathleen]

Hello again ladies.

I suppose even if we don't need the services of the NHS it's likely that someone we love or rely on will. I fear that we are  being pushed into accepting private treatment for more and more conditions while the NHS is being starved of resources and turned into a second class service. There has always been private medicine in this country and personally I don't have a problem with that but I feel that we are being forced down the private route  because the NHS is being dismantled and what happens to those who can't pay?

I saw an American documentary about their money based health system and a man was interviewed who needed an expensive kidney operation. His insurance wouldn't cover the cost and he couldn't pay ‘ out of pocket‘ so he was stuck. The poor man was trying to be upbeat and told the journalist that he had faith that things would be alright. My cynical response was to think there's a pity, faith is all very well but what he actually needs is hard cash. At the end of the programme there was s postscript saying the man had sadly died from his illness. I don't want anyone in this country to be in that man's position, our system is much better and I'd like to keep it that way.

Sorry to go on ladies, meno irritability has gotten the better of me lol.

Take care all.

K.

[CLKD]

Donors are required daily.  Lots of people on Waiting Lists for transplants across the UK die each year 

CT can cause loss of sleep when the sufferer wakes to find the arm hanging over the bed in order to release the pins and needles.  Decompression is usually the best way of relieving symptoms.

[Dancinggirl]

There has been rationing in place for some time now - this is just the next phase of strategies to encourage us to either take care of our health better or make us pay for treatment.
I have already forked our thousands to get the help I need as I know things like my lower back degeneration with a bulging disk won't be a priority on the NHS.
When more funding was announced by May recently, an ER doctor was interviewed on the news and he, very rightly, pointed out that drastic restructuring was needed. He highlighted terrible wastage e.g. repeat tests done unnecessarily and poor logistics generally. It's not just about throwing more money at the NHS, someone has got be brave and rethink how health and social care is delivered. Here in the UK we are struggling because we were one of the first countries to set up a health system free to all and when it started out they never anticipated the enormous demand we are seeing now. The whole thing is too unwieldy.
We pay too little into the system in the first place and I would be happy to pay an extra tax, that is exclusively for the NHS, so I could trust I would get the very best care - and even for ‘quality of life' health issues. I would also pay a fee to see the GP or specialist but this must be based on means testing.
Will any government be brave enough to do what's needed?? DG x

[Tinkerbell]

My father has horrendous varicose veins several areas have lumps the size of grapes, his area have only done surgery if they become ulcerated and that has been like that for several years.

[Annika]

To be honest I was appalled when I saw the list as the surgery I had was on it (hystrectomy for bleeding) and to think that someone would not deem that as life saving is beyond me and I'm not being dramatic here. I'm wondering if medical insurance is offered in the UK to cover private as it is here in the US? 

[wombat62]

We have to pay for everything in Oz so it really makes you appreciate the nhs!

Over here everything is private with the exception of public hospitals. We have Medicare which we all pay into which is basically a rebate scheme, the providers charge a fee, the Gov has a fee schedule and we the public pay the gap unless you have private insurance. There are some services and docs who charge the same as the rebate so you're not out of pocket, it's a complicated system!

However, having experienced both I would say the advantages are:
You are not tied to one doc, you can go to any practice which can be a benefit if you're not happy with one!
You get a diagnosis quicker, there are so many scanning, X-ray places etc you may only have to wait a couple,of weeks at the most. We aren't reliant on the local hospital and it's one machine!
I had my op at the local public hospital an I couldn't fault it, even got to choose the day of my op (although I think I was just lucky!)

The downside is that you can be out of pocket for a lot of money even if you have insurance as they also have a fee schedule which may not match the provider!

I do feel so much money is wasted in the nhs, even down to people not showing up for appointments when so many people have to wait weeks to see the doc, so perhaps they should be fined....not that they'll probably pay it!

All forms of medical procedures are so advanced now it's no surprise that expenditure outweighs income so I guess something needs to be done unless it's charging the population more in NI contributions and they won't like that either! Guess we can all start with trying to stay healthy although I still got bloody gallstones!

Private health insurance in Oz is a rip off, the providers charge the insurance companies more for the same service than you as an individual! Plus most people only have it to get out of paying a Medicare surcharge incentive you earn over a certain amount, so it's not an ideal solution either!

Still we're all better off than the States, I've read some awful stories of sick people who can't even afford the docs let alone scans, surgery etc....

[CLKD]

"Free at the point of delivery".

No one could have anticipated the rate that technology would move nor what that technology now covers in the ways of treatments required.

Recently we had reason to visit an out of hours GP due to sudden swelling of foot.  With pain.  A blood test was arranged, home with advice and pain relief.  Blood test taken the next day: result came back 'nil of note. no further action required'.  No joined up thinking: patient remains with swollen, painful foot.  No communication with patient to see if there is still a problem. 

Off to another GP.  Locum, very helpful.  Told us he would arrange an X-ray of said painful area and that we would get an appt..  Well the Surgery Staff hadn't informed the Locum that it is up to the patient to ring the Hospital to make appt. for X-ray.  By chance we rang to see how long we had to wait and were told to DIY.  After 2 weeks we would have needed to return to GP to re-start the X-ray request as it becomes null and void which would have been a waste of a 2nd appt. due to lack of communication! 

I could safe the NHS money within 6 months. 

A GP refers a patient to a Consultant.  Any necessary treatment or surgical intervention advised.  Instead of referring back to the GP, the Consultant should complete at least 3/4 follow-up appts. prior to being sent back to the care of the GP.  If another condition is found during the Consultant appt. then the patient should be referred directly rather than being sent back to the GP for yet another referral letter, long wait etc..  No reason at all why specialists across a Hospital cannot see a patient whilst they are already there!   A 'phone call between Depts. means a GP appt. remains available at the Surgery.