Issue - meetings

CCG - CONSULTATION ON SERVICE RESTRICTION

Meeting: 19/07/2017 - Health & Wellbeing Board (Item 8)

8 CCG - CONSULTATION ON SERVICE RESTRICTION pdf icon PDF 263 KB

Report attached.

 

Alan Steward

 

13.45

Minutes:

The CCG had consulted on proposals to save £5.2 million via changes to services such as IVF, prescribing and cosmetic surgery. The consultation had run for eight weeks and included public drop-in sessions, events and the distribution of leaflets. A total of 661 responses had been received which had shown overall support for stopping funding of services such as cosmetic surgery and weight loss procedures. There had been less support for proposals to cease funding IVF cycles.

 

A clinical evaluation had looked at the clinical impact of the proposals, patient experience and equalities issues. It had been agreed to cease funding 22 services and continue funding 10 services with one service (tummy tuck surgery) carried over for further work. The revised proposals would produce a potential saving of £3.03 million per annum.

 

The changes had begun to be implemented on 10 July although this would only be for new referrals, patients already in the system would be unaffected. Information on having treatments carried out privately would also be supplied to patients. It was also noted that applications for funding could still be made for one-off cases, on the basis of exceptional medical need etc.

 

Funding would cease for head lice treatments although public health advice would still be available for parents via school nurses. Whilst funding was stopping for cosmetic procedures, these could still be funded if they were related to treatment for cancer, burns or major trauma.

 

The Chair of Healthwatch Havering added that she felt the consultation on the service changes had been well managed and that Healthwatch had been closely involved. Clarification would be sought on precisely when prescriptions for gluten-free foods would cease.

 

It was noted that Dr Andrew Rixom, Consultant in Public Health, had given very helpful input to the Clinical Experts Panel.

 

The Board noted the decisions reached.