diagnostics and treatment for children with complex needs are among services earmarked for cost-cutting plans considered by the NHS to plug a funding gap, according to documents seen by campaigners.
The plans, by South Gloucestershire clinical commissioning group and released under a freedom of information request, show that waiting targets for non-urgent operations are also due to be relaxed under the “capped expenditure process” (CEP) as the health service seeks to balance its books in the current financial year.
The proposals are the latest example of what critics have condemned as “draconian” measures that NHS care providers in 13 large areas of England are being told to push through, said the campaign group 38 Degrees, which obtained the documents.
Cancer diagnostics, neurological rehabilitation and children’s continuing care policy for those with complex needs arising from disability, accident or illness, are listed for proposed savings by the South Gloucestershire CCG. It aims to make a total of £4,839,000 in extra savings under CEP. The bulk could be made by “reduction in RTT [referral to treatment] performance”, which would lead to longer waiting times, and reduction in independent sector treatment centre activity.
Full story in The Guardian, 25 September 2017