Patients risk being in ‘unnecessary pain' over NHS minimum waits for treatment
Some local NHS organisations have introduced minimum waiting times as part of their drive to control costs and set priorities, telling hospitals they will will only pay if patients have waited three months or more for things such as hip replacements.
As first reported in The Times, the policies include blanket minimum waiting times of 12-16 weeks in some regions.
In Devon, a 14-week wait has been applied to 'clinically routine cases' while in Shropshire, a minimum wait of 16-18 weeks applies 'unless there is verifiable clinical urgency', the Times reported.
In South Yorkshire, as a result of 'significant financial challenge' the region is 'requiring providers to slow down the rate of delivery to a minimum of 13 weeks', documents suggest.
In north-east London, bosses say an interim goal of treating 65% of patients within 18 weeks will be a maximum, citing a reduction in the money available for routine treatment.
Other regions vary more by type of treatment, with some putting blocks in place for cataracts or inpatient ear, nose and throat cases.
Earlier this year, NHS England published guidance with detail on minimum waits, saying hospital trusts and local commissioners must agree plans on the expected 'volume of activity' across the year.
It said commissioners may wish to set 'activity planning assumptions', which can include introducing minimum waiting times.
In April, NHS England chief executive Sir Jim Mackey told a Health Service Journal (HSJ) summit that the new rules would give commissioners 'the ability to say to providers…'You might be able to do a cataract in four days, but I want you to do it in 10 weeks, because that's what we've decided is necessary'.'
He suggested this may help support other priorities, for example big cancer or mental health waiting times.
However, experts said the move risked leaving people in pain or facing unnecessary delays.
Tim Mitchell, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said: 'Used in this way, minimum waiting times risk distorting clinical priorities and leaving patients in unnecessary pain and anxiety.
'Treatment should be delivered as promptly as possible, based on clinical need.
'We recognise the financial pressures facing the NHS but delaying treatment to balance the books is not the answer.
'Instead, we need targeted investment to expand surgical capacity and upgrade the ageing NHS buildings and infrastructure that continue to hold back efforts to meet the 18-week waiting time target.'
An NHS spokesman said: 'We have asked all parts of the NHS to bring waiting times down while we continue to prioritise the most clinically urgent patients.
'There is no policy supporting minimum waits in the NHS and we will work closely with all systems to ensure they deliver the expected level of improvement in waiting times set out in our 25/26 planning guidance.'
NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have been contacted for comment.
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