Two Yorkshire CCGs have stopped offering expensive treatments not usually provided under the NHS in a bid to balance the books.
North Kirklees and Greater Huddersfield CCGs have decided to put a stop to individual funding requests for the next 18 months to save an estimated £750,000.
The moratorium is expected to take effect immediately but, according to recent board papers, will exclude those with a condition that is immediately life threatening or where a delay would cause “a real and imminent risk of harm”.
Two Yorkshire CCGs have stopped offering expensive treatments not usually provided under the NHS in a bid to balance the books.
North Kirklees and Greater Huddersfield CCGs have decided to put a stop to individual funding requests for the next 18 months to save an estimated £750,000.
The moratorium is expected to take effect immediately but, according to recent board papers, will exclude those with a condition that is immediately life threatening or where a delay would cause “a real and imminent risk of harm”.
Patients who require a procedure within a strict time frame before it becomes in effective, are also exempt.
According to a joint statement from the CCGs, the decision was “driven by a financial challenge and the need to invest the local NHS budget to benefit the health of the whole population and ensure value for money”.
The CCGs will also no longer offer branded medicines, where non-branded medication is sufficient, gluten-free products, sunscreens and multivitamins.
Dr David Kelly, local GP and Chair of NHS North Kirklees Governing Body said: “NHS services are improving and as a result, more people are living longer. But, we are also seeing increasing demand for NHS care, alongside rising costs. This means we have had to look at using our budget in a different way.
“Decisions like this are difficult and we know that some people will find them hard to accept, but the money saved can be spent on things that have much more of an impact on people’s health.”
Dr Steve Ollerton, local GP and Chair of NHS Greater Huddersfield CCG Governing Body added: “The NHS budget is just the same as everyone’s household budget – we can only spend the money we have. When the bills get higher we have to tighten our belt and cannot always keep buying more services.”
The moratorium is expected to be reviewed after six months.
