Chance for the public to feedback on new health policies

Residents of Lancashire and South Cumbria are being encouraged to have their say as the NHS updates more of its policies on treatments.

The NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board regularly reviews its clinical policies to ensure they reflect the latest evidence-based guidance and best practice.

As part of this ongoing process, four clinical policies that determine whether a person can have surgery to treat certain conditions are up for review and the ICB is looking for public feedback.

All the policies are backed by national guidance and scientific evidence and are the same as those in neighbouring ICB areas. The aim is to bring Lancashire and South Cumbria in line with that guidance and reduce inequality by area in the region.

The first is a policy on surgery for the correction of refractive error, which causes people to have blurred vision. This is commonly known as laser eye surgery and is not normally funded by the ICB at present.

The proposed changes would allow the surgery for a very specific group of patients.

There are then three new policies around hip and knee replacement, cataract surgery and surgical removal of bunions. These are all procedures that are not currently covered by a policy so one is being created for each.

Andy Curran, medical director for Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB, said: “Reviewing clinical policies is a rolling programme and sometimes results in changes being made and policies needing to be updated.

“We know how important it is that this is done in an open, fair and transparent manner and that local patients and the public have the opportunity to have their say. I would encourage any resident with an interest in these policies to visit the ICB website and take part in the survey.”

For more information about current clinical policy reviews and to have your say, visit: www.lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk/have-your-say/get-involved-across-lancashire-and-south-cumbria/clinical-policies