Views invited on clinical policies in Lancashire and South Cumbria

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

The NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) regularly reviews its clinical policies to ensure they reflect the latest evidence-based guidance and best practice. Our clinical policies define the care that the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria offers to our residents, to ensure that it is equitable and fair to all.

As part of this ongoing process, drafts of 17 clinical policies are now open for patient and public engagement, feedback and comment. The policies range from cosmetic procedures, diagnostic tests and surgical procedures to therapies and provision of wigs for certain patients.

Dr Andy Curran, associate medical director at the ICB, said: “Reviewing clinical policies is a rolling programme and sometimes results in changes being made and policies needing updating.

“Some of the proposed changes are only small such as clarification of previously unclear or confusing wording. Some of them have more of an impact and sometimes they can increase or decrease the availability of treatments. They are always based on national guidelines and best clinical practice to make sure that the resources available are being used fairly and to maximum effect for the local population.

“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: LSC Integrated Care Board :: Clinical Policies

Proposed policies currently open for comment are:

• Abdominoplasty or apronectomy - surgical removal of the large excess of skin and fat which is hanging out over the pubic area, sometime called a ‘tummy tuck’
• Breast augmentation
• Breast reduction
• Breast symmetrisation surgery
• Complementary and alternative therapies - this can include therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture, aromatherapy
• Dupuytren’s Contracture - a condition where one or more fingers bend in towards the palm
• Provision of wigs
• Surgical management of otitis media with effusion (OME) - a type of ear infection sometimes called ‘glue ear’
• Surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - surgery for an enlarged prostate
• Exercise ECG - a heart (or exercise) stress test
• Pinnaplasty in young children and adolescents - surgery for pinning back prominent ears
• Blepharoplasty (cosmetic) - cosmetic surgery to remove excess skin or fat from the eyelids
• Hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome - a hip procedure
• Spinal injections and radiofrequency denervation for low back pain - interventions for lower back pain
• Policy for physical rehabilitation in facial palsy - a paralysis or weakness often on one side of the face
• Rhinoplasty - a procedure to change the appearance of your nose, improve how you breathe through your nose or both, sometimes called a ‘nose job’
• Surgical revision of scars (cosmetic)