NHS to curb "ineffective" treatments
Ineffective operations to be stopped
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Wednesday, 06, Sep 2006 03:09
Ineffective treatments are to be identified and stopped under a new programme of work to be carried out by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice).
Such procedures, which include unnecessary tonsillectomies and hysterectomies, cost the NHS £21 million each year.
The Department of Health claims that the programme will release millions in NHS resources and reduce health inequalities.
As well as developing new guidance on treatments which may be inappropriate or unnecessary for patients, Nice will also actively promote its recommendations and will provide specific advice for NHS commissioners identifying guidelines that exist already which aim to reduce ineffectiveness.
Commenting on today's announcement, Nice chief executive Andrew Dillon said: "Nice already advises the NHS on when it should invest in new drugs and treatments that work well for patients.
"It's common sense for us to also advise the NHS on when it is appropriate to stop using treatments that don't benefit patients or do not represent good value for money where there are better alternatives available."
The British Medical Association (BMA) said that although doctors will welcome the guidelines on the most effective treatment options, it has also advised that a "blanket ban" on certain treatments should not imposed on the medical profession as "there may be occasions where individual patients, with specific health needs, would necessitate a particular intervention".
"Decisions taken by Nice must therefore allow for such treatments to be available for patients whose health outcomes would improve," said Dr Sam Everington, a GP and deputy chairman of the BMA.
"Above all, any decision must be primarily based on clinical evidence and not simply an exercise in cost-cutting."
Health minister Andy Burnham said: "This is not about cutting services that benefit patients. New drugs and treatments are continually emerging and trusts have to make difficult decisions about how to invest funding.
"I believe this important new work will show how the NHS can free up millions of pounds from obsolete or ineffective treatments."
Sir Liam Donaldson, the chief medical officer, added: "As technology advances to expand the range of possible health interventions, it is important that effective therapies to address significant health problems are adopted and that ineffective treatments are abandoned.
"Nice's new work programme will support this vital process by providing an objective assessment of the evidence."