Summary
NHS England is actively considering proposals to discontinue or reduce the availability of 17 routine procedures considered to be either ineffective or risky. The aim is to improve patient outcomes, reduce waste in the NHS (by an estimated 200 million per year), avoid potential patient harms arising from unnecessary treatments, and target resources where they are needed most. International estimates suggest that perhaps 20% of interventions may be unnecessary or do more harm than good.
Reference
NHS England to stop ‘ineffective’ treatments. London: BBC Health News, June 30th 2018.
This relates to:
Reference
NHS England action to stop patients undergoing ineffective and risky treatments. [Online]: NHS England, June 30th 2018.
“In most of the 17 interventions to be considered, alternative treatments like physiotherapy, a minor injection or change of diet are likely to be effective. Any patient at risk of serious harm from their condition will continue to be offered treatment, and medical professionals will continue to follow guidelines from NICE when recommending treatment”.
