Surge in private medical procedures as NHS cuts back on common surgeries
New statistics indicate a significant surge in private medical procedures for common ailments as the NHS scales back or ceases funding for certain surgeries, showing an uptick in operations viewed by the NHS as 'of limited value'. The number of private surgeries like cataract procedures witnessed a 39% rise, while hernia repairs have risen by 110% and tonsillectomies increased by 105%.
According to data, analysed from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN), England has seen a 61% increase in breast reduction admissions and circumcisions reaching a 118% hike. Furthermore, treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome jumped by 64%, while adenoidectomies soared by 145%.
These increases come in the wake of new guidelines seeking to steer NHS commissioners away from these types of surgeries. The Evidence-based Intervention (EBI) list was created to reduce the number of medical or surgical interventions which could be inappropriate for some patients in some circumstances.
Jim Easton, from Practice Plus Group hospitals which conducted the analysis, remarked: "It is correct that there are proper eligibility criteria to ensure that only those people who will benefit from surgery are offered it.
"In the last six years, however, through a combination of the COVID backlog, increasing financial pressures on the NHS, and the growing list of procedures they actively try to restrict, we have seen a marked increase in people in debilitating pain or discomfort who are perfect candidates for surgery but can't get the referral."
Graeme Wakerley, 71, a retired haematologist who worked for many years in the NHS, was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia in 2023 but was unable to access surgery via them, so he chose to pay for Wellsoon private healthcare from Practice Plus Group.
Sharing his experience, he said: "A scan showed that the hernia wasn't strangulated which meant it wasn't considered dangerous and I would not be able to get surgery to fix it.
"The GP explained that unless it's strangulated, you're in severe pain or mental anguish, there was no point in applying for funding as I wouldn't get surgery. Even when you do get on the list meaning it's serious and you're in severe pain, there would be a two-year wait for hernia surgery. So, I had no choice but to pay."
Graeme said he has heard of many other people in similar situations and said GPs are advising people to go private for surgery because there are so many restrictions on funding.
Jim says it's important the NHS ensures the EBI programme does not drift away from one intended to benefit patients. He cautions that the EBI has also created a 'postcode lottery' as different areas might adopt the list entirely while others will adapt it.
Moreover, he said: "The knock-on effect in not offering these treatments is the gradual disappearance of specialists with enough experience in delivering them, or enough younger doctors trained to perform them."
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