Cosmetic, Other Surgeries, Devices, Screening, Diagnostics and Other Therapies
Information and forms can be found by using the search facility on the right of the table below (just above Process Pathway). Type a word associated with the intervention you require and a limited list of policies and forms to be displayed. For example Assisted Conception would be displayed if any of the following is typed Assisted, Conception, IVF.
Smoking Cessation before planned surgery: Patients are encouraged to stop smoking prior to planned surgery. Please refer to Thames Valley Policy Statement 78 Smoking cessation before planned surgery.
Fully completed application forms should be saved locally and sent from an NHS.net email account (or other email account which meets the secure email standard and is DCB1596 accredited) to scwcsu.cpis.requests@nhs.net for consideration.
| INTERVENTION | POLICY STATEMENT | PROCESS PATHWAY |
|---|---|---|
| Acupuncture and manual therapies for the treatment of chronic, non-specific low back pain with or without sciatica Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | This procedure in not routinely funded in secondary care. In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must apply for prior approval by fully completing the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly state the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Adenoidectomy Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC20 Surgical management of otitis media with effusion in children (under the age of 12 years) - November 2015 / updated January 2019 Adenoidectomy is of limited clinical effectiveness and will not be routinely funded. Refer to the above policy if Grommets and Adenoidectomy for Children is required. | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Adenoidectomy with Grommets Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| ADHD Treatment Pathway for Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Procedure Funded Subject to Audit | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC71 Treatment pathway for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - March 2018 | Funded subject to audit. Outside of the local service this is a procedure not routinely funded. If there is exceptional health need please fully complete the following: IFR application form and email it to the IFR Service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. |
| Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder) Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC74 Adhesive Capsulitis v2.0 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Adhesive-Capsulitis-Form-BU-v1.1 or providing detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Aesthetic/Cosmetic Breast Surgery - breast augmentation, revision of breast augmentation, breast asymmetry, breast mastopexy - breast lift, mammoplasty, reconstruction/revision of breast (not including post breast cancer), inverted nipple, corrective surgery to nipple, removal of supernumerary nipples, breast implant removal and replacement, female breast reduction, reduction mammoplasty, male breast reduction for gynaecomastia, breast prosthesis removal and replacement - PIP Implants Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC16 Aesthetic treatments for adults and children v1.4 | These procedures are not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need and the patient meets the criteria for consideration, please complete fully the following form: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the patient meets the criteria for consideration and the exceptional health need. Please email the completed form to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures Benign skin lesions and lipomata including: Acne vulgaris, Dermatofibromas (skin growths), Naevi (benign pigmented naevi, epidermal, haemangioma, moles, spider, congenital and port-wine, Sebaceous cysts (pilar and epidermoid cysts), Seborrhoeic keratosis (benign skin growths, basal cell papilloma, senile warts), Skin tags, Telangiectasia (HHT, spider veins and thread veins), Vitiligo, Warts (plantar including verrucae, filiform and common), Xanthelasmas (cholesterol deposits underneath the skin) (excluding ?histology ie cancer), Lipoma and Lipomata (fat deposits underneath the skin) Laser removal of skin lesions, haemangioma, congenital naevi Excluding BCC and SCC Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC16 Aesthetic treatments for adults and children v1.4 | These procedures are not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need and the patient meets the criteria for consideration, please complete fully the following: Benign Skin Lesions and Lipomata BU or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly state how the patient meets the criteria for consideration and the exceptional health need. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures Excess skin removal and body contouring including but not limited to: abdominoplasty, apronectomy, (tummy tucks), reconstruction/revision of body (excess skin removal for all areas, reconstruction/revision of body (excess skin removal all areas) post bariatric surgery/ weight loss, body contouring procedures (buttock, thigh, calf implants, arm lifts), plastic operations on the umbilicus, brachioplasty (arm lifts), liposuction, facial procedures including eye bags, facelift (rhytidectomy/ surgical removal of wrinkles)/ brow lift and submental lipectomy Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC16 Aesthetic treatments for adults and children v1.4 | These procedures are not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need and the patient meets the criteria for consideration, please complete fully the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the patient meets the criteria for consideration and the exceptional health need. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) including: blepharoptosis (an abnormal low-lying upper eyelid margin) and dermatochalasis (skin redundancy of the upper lid), Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC16 Aesthetic treatments for adults and children v1.4 | These procedures are not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need and the patient meets the criteria for consideration, please complete fully the following: Eyelid Surgery Blepharoplasty, Dermatochalasis, Correction of Ptosis Form BU or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly state how the patient meets the criteria for consideration and the exceptional health need. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures Nose reshaping including: Rhinoplasty / Septorhinoplasty (cosmetic nose surgery), Reconstruction/revision of nose surgery Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC16 Aesthetic treatments for adults and children v1.4 | These procedures are not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need and the patient meets the criteria for consideration, please complete fully the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly state how the patient meets the criteria for consideration and the exceptional health need. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Aesthetic/Cosmetic Procedures Other procedures including: botox for cosmetic reasons, pinnaplasty for adults and children (bat ears), reconstruction /revision of external ear, split earlobes, meatoplasty/plastic operations on external ear (lobe repair) irregularities of aesthetic significance, Onychomycosis (fungal nail infections), Scars including keloid (removal and revision), Tattoo (removal or revision), Rhinophyma, Rosacea excision of skin tag of anus (not including fistula's), excision of sweat bearing glands, laser treatment, excessive hirsutism, minor skin procedures (not including BCC and SCC), aesthetic/cosmetic genital surgery (male or female), clitoroplasty, labiaplasty, vaginoplasty, hymenopathy, penile prosthesis / enlargement, repair of traumatic /chronic clefts due to avulsion of body piercing, skin resurfacing (dermabrasion, laser and chemical peels), correction of Alopecia (hair loss including Intralace), correction of male pattern baldness, hair transplantation, hair grafting, intralace treatments for hirsutism/ hair depilation, electrolysis for hair removal, appliances and devices for cosmetic purposes (high-grade silicon cosmesis and/or prosthesis) Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC16 Aesthetic treatments for adults and children v1.4 | These procedures are not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need and the patient meets the criteria for consideration, please complete fully the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the patient meets the criteria for consideration and the exceptional health need. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Anal Irrigation Systems for the Management of Faecal Incontinence/Constipation Procedure Funded Subject to Audit | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC3a Anal Irrigation Systems Policy Update v3.0 | Funded subject to audit. Outside of the local service this is a procedure not routinely funded. If there is exceptional health need please fully complete the following: IFR application form and email it to the IFR Service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. |
| Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstructions Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC83 Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction - November 2018 / February 2019 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: ACL Reconstruction for under 25 Form ACL Recontruction for 25 - 55 Form ACL Reconstruction for over 55 Form Or providing detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Anti-VEGF agents for the management of sight-threatening rare eye conditions involving neo-vascularisation | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC96 Anti-VEGF agents for the management of sight-threatening rare eye conditions involving neo-vascularisation - September 2019 | The Thames Valley Committee has concluded that there is sufficient evidence of clinical and cost-effectiveness to support the use of anti-VEGF in the management of patients with the following rare conditions, this list may not be exhaustive: • Multifocal choroidopathy (including punctuate inner choroidopathy and multiple • evanescent white dot syndrome) • Atypical choroiditides (including histoplasmosis, tuberculous, syphilitic, etc). • CNV in angioid streaks • CNV in pseudoxanthoma elasticum (also known as Gronblad-Strandberg syndrome) • CNV in vitelliform macular dystrophy • CNV in serpiginous choroiditis • CNV in choroidal sarcoma • CNV in Stargardt’s Disease • Intravitreal uveitis • Toxoplasma chorioretinitis • Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome There are no associated thresholds for treatment. Treatment will be funded based on clinicians’ judgement. Bevacizumab (Avastin®) is recommended as the preferred agent for the treatment of these conditions. The use of other anti-VEGF agents including ranibizumab (Lucentis®) or aflibercept (Eylea®) will require an individual funding request application. |
| Anti-VEGF treatments and dexamethasone implants for macular oedema caused by central branch retinal vein occlusion | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC5 Anti-VEGF treatments and dexamethasone implants for macular oedema caused by central and branch retinal vein occlusion - April 2014 / updated January 2019 - May 2014 / Update June 2019 | As detailed in the use of policy the use of any of these treatments is recommended in line with the associated NICE technology appraisal Note this policy should be read in conjunction with TVPC45 Sequential use of biologic therapy in Ophthalmology, which in addition to sequential use, also provided recommendations on stopping criteria. |
| Anti-VEGFs for sight-threatening eye conditions other than 'wet' age related macular degeneration Procedure Not Routinely Funded | BMKPC 52b Anti-VEGFs for sight-threatening eye conditions other than wet age related macular degeneration - August 2009 | This is not routinely funded. For these requests a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form: IFR application form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Application of the use of ADL to IFR 2020 | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC101 Application of the use of ADL to IFR 2020 v1.0 | Policy for information. |
| Arthroscopic Knee Surgery for Meniscal Tears Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC76 Arthroscopic Knee Surgery for Meniscal Tears v3.0 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Knee-Arthroscopy-Form-v3 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultant must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Arthroscopic Lavage and Debridement for Patients with Osteoarthritis of the knee Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC6 Arthroscopy May21 v3.0 | This procedure in not routinely funded in secondary care In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must apply for prior approval by fully completing the following IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicates the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Assisted Conception Services (including IVF/ICSI) Procedure that requires Prior Approval | TVPC11g Assisted reproduction services v3 Appendix to Policy Statement 11g Summary of the rationale behind departing from NICE guidelines TVPC80 Primary Care Pathway for Subfertility - February 2019 | Patients/couples requesting specialist infertility treatment and meeting the eligibility criteria must be referred for specialist infertility treatment(s) by a NHS Consultant Gynaecologist. Please complete the following Assisted Reproduction Services Form and submit it to the tertiary provider of the patient’s choice. If the patients/couples do not meet the criteria then the IFR application form should be completed detailing how the couple are clinically exceptional. Please email the completed form to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration Patient leaflet - Assisted Reproduction Policy - Nov 2013 Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. Please note: Immigration health surcharge; removal of assisted conception services (Legislation.gov.uk) Amendments to the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015 were introduced into Parliament on 19 July 2017. As a result, from 21 August 2017, assisted conception services will no longer be included in the scope of services available for free for those who pay the immigration health surcharge. It is therefore important that to ensure potential users of these services are aware of the changes. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Atomoxetine in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Procedure Funded Subject to Audit | MOBBB 15 Atomoxetine in Adult with ADHD - July 2010 | Where the patient fully meets the criteria outlined in the policy then prior approval is not required. These cases may be audited. If the criteria are not met but the consultant wishes to treat then prior approval will be required. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form: Exceptional Circumstances Submission Form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Autologous blood injections and platelet rich plasma injections Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC57 Autologous blood injections and Platelet rich plasma injections - March 2017 / updated March 2019 - June 2019 | This is a procedure of Low Priority. If there is an exceptional health need please complete fully the following: IFR application form and email it to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. |
| Biologic and immunomodulatory therapies in Rheumatoid Arthritis | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC51 Use of biological and immunomodulatory therapies in RA Interim v2.0 | Application for treatment should be made via the Buckinghamshire High Cost Drugs Portal. |
| Biological and immunomodulatory drugs for moderate Rheumatoid Arthritis | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC103 Biological and immunomodulatory drugs for moderate RA v1.0 | Application for treatment should be made via the Buckinghamshire High Cost Drugs Portal. |
| Biologic drugs for the management of axial spondyloarthritis | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC92 Biologic drugs for the management of axial spondyloarthritis - May 2019 | Prior approval is not required where the patient meets the criteria in full. If the criteria are not fully met, prior to referral and treatment, please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Exceptional Circumstances Submission Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Biologic drugs for the management of Crohn's disease | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC93 Biologic drugs for the management of Crohn's disease - May 2019 | Prior approval is not required where the patient meets the criteria in full. If the criteria are not fully met, prior to referral and treatment, please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Exceptional Circumstances Submission Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Biologic therapies for ulcerative colitis in adults (18 years and over) | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC43 Use of biological therapies for ulcerative colitis v2.0 | Prior approval is not required where the patient meets the criteria in full. If the criteria are not fully met, prior to referral and treatment, please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Exceptional Circumstances Submission Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Biologic therapy for psoriasis - Sequential use of a third or subsequent biologic | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC44 Sequential use of a third or subsequent biologic therapy for psoriasis - July 2016 / Updated January and May 2019 | Prior approval is not required where the patient meets the criteria in full. If the criteria are not fully met, prior to referral and treatment, please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Exceptional Circumstances Submission Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Biologic therapy in Ophthalmology - Sequential use | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC45 Policy update Sequential use of biologics in opthalmology v2.0 | Prior approval is not required where the patient meets the criteria in full. If the criteria are not fully met, prior to referral and treatment, please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Exceptional Circumstances Submission Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Biologic therapy in Psoriatic Arthritis - Sequential use | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC46 Sequential use of biologic therapies and Janus-associated tyrosine kinases (JAK) inhibitors in Psoriatic Arthritis v2 | Prior approval is not required where the patient meets the criteria in full. If the criteria are not fully met, prior to referral and treatment, please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Exceptional Circumstances Submission Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Biological Mesh Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC14 Biological Mesh - March 2015 / Updated May 2019 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Biological Mesh Form or provided detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Bone Anchored Hearing Aids | National Policy NHS England Bone anchored hearing aids - April 2013 | For further information contact NHS England |
| NHS England specialised commissioning Services | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC67 NHS England specialised commissioning v2.0 | Thames Valley CCGs do not fund specialised services, treatments or interventions that are directly commissioned by NHS England Specialised Commissioning whether they are provided by a specialised or a non-specialised provider. |
| Botulinum toxin Type A (Botox) for chronic headache (excluding migraines) Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC12 Botulinum Toxin A - Nov 2019_v1.1 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria is met. Please email the completed form/ letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. For information TA 260 Botulinum Toxin Type A for the prevention of headaches in adults with chronic migraine |
| Botulinum toxin Type A (Botox) for cosmetic reasons - hyperhidrosis Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC25 Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) - Botulinum Toxin A and Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy - November 2015 / updated 2019 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must also be provided. Please complete fully the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Cannabinoids in the Management of Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Pain Procedure Not Routinely Funded | BMKPC 94 Cannabinoids in the Management of Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Pain - March 2009 | This is not routinely funded. For these requests a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form : IFR application form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Cannabis-based medicinal products Procedure Not Routinely Funded | TVPC81 Cannabis based medicinal products v2 | This is not routinely funded. For these requests a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form : IFR application form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Sodium Oxybate for Narcolepsy with Cataplexy in Adults Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC99 Sodium Oxybate for Narcolepsy with Cataplexy in adults NEW August 2020 | This is not routinely funded. For these requests a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form : IFR application form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Carotid Endarterectomy and Endovascular Stent | National Policy NHS England Complex Endovascular Stent Grafts in Abdominal Aortic Aneuruysm - April 2013 | For further information contact NHS England |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC19 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome v2.0 | In the first instance GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome v1.3 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters and supporting information to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Cataract removal in adults (including second eye cataract surgery) Procedure Funded Subject to Audit | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC60 Cataract Removal in Adults - thresholds for surgery - January 2018/ Updated October 2018 | This procedure is funded subject to audit. Please refer your patient direct by Electronic Referral System if they fully meet the criteria outlined in the policy. If the criteria are not fully met, prior to referral and treatment, please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Cataract-Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. Patient leaflet – Cataract treatment |
| Chalazia Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC95 Treatment of Chalazia - July 2019 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Eyelid Surgery Chalazia Form BU or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Chronic Anal Fissure Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC12 Botulinum Toxin A - Nov 2019_v1.1 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must also be provided. Please complete fully the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committees Policy Statement TVPC98 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Updated August 2020 | Local referral for CBT would be appropriate in the first instance. Inpatient stay is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinical letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy is met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Circumcision and Preputioplasty Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC63 Circumcision and Preputioplasty Update July 2020 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Male-Circumcision-BU-v1.5 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Closure of patent foramen ovale for migraine (PFO) | National Policy NHS England Patent Foramen Ovale PFO Closure | For further information contact NHS England |
| Co-careldopa intestinal gel (Duodopa®) for advanced Parkinson's disease Procedure Not Routinely Funded | BMKPC 78 Co-careldopa intestinal gel (Duodopa®) for advance Parkinson's disease - July 2008 | This is not routinely funded. For these requests a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form : IFR application form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Complementary and Alternative Therapies Procedure Not Routinely Funded | TVPC100 Complementary and alternative therapies v1.0 | These procedures are not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinical letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (insulin pumps) for adults with type 1 diabetes Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC65 Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (insulin pumps) for adults with type 1 diabetes - December 2018 | Where the patient meets the criteria within the published commissioning policy, prior approval funding should be requested via the Blueteq High Cost Drugs Portal (click here) If the patient does not meet the criteria and there is a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need please fully complete the following: or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need. Email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at scwcsu.CPIS.requests@nhs.net for consideration. |
| Contribution to Reimbursement of Expenses for Living Donors (Renal Transplantation) | National Policy NHS England Reimbursement of Expenses for Living Kidney Donors | For further information contact NHS England |
| Correction of Ptosis Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC16 Aesthetic treatments for adults and children v1.4 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Eyelid Surgery Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Corticosteroid injection for patella, elbow and achilles tendinopathy (jumper's knee, tennis elbow) Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC84 Corticosteroid injections for patella elbow & achilles tendinopathy - November 2018 - March 2019 BU | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinical letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Corticosteroid injections for pre patellar (in the front of the kneecap) and olecranon (elbow) bursitis Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC85 Corticosteroid injections for pre patellar (in the front of the kneecap) and olecranon (elbow) bursitis - November 2018 - February 2019 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinical letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Cryopreservation - preservation of fertility (Male and Female) Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC17 Policy for the preservation of fertility - January 2015 / Updated October 2018 | The NHS Fertility Service or the Consultant wishing to treat, should check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Preservation of Fertility Form or provide detailed clinical letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Cryotherapy (salvage) for recurrent prostate cancer | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Cryotherapy for localised prostate cancer | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Da Vinci Robotic Prostatectomy | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease | National Policy NHS England Deep Brain Stimulation DBS in movement disorders | For further information contact NHS England |
| Deep Brain Stimulation for primary dystonia and essential tremor | National Policy NHS England Deep Brain Stimulation DBS in movement disorders | For further information contact NHS England |
| Deep Brain Stimulation including other interventions | National Policy NHS England Deep Brian Stimulation for Indications except movement disorders | For further information contact NHS England |
| Dental Implants | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Dilatation and curettage (D&C) for abnormal uterine bleeding Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC29 D&C for abnormal uterine bleeding Policy Update v2.0 Medicines & Healthcare product Regulatory Agency (MHRA) MRHA Safety Altert - 7 August 2018 | This procedure is not routinely funded. Patients are to be referred to the local Intermediate Gynaecological Service for assessment and counselling. If the Gynaecological Service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must have prior approval from the IFR service before referral and treatment. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinical letters which clearly indicate the health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Disc replacement surgery for low back pain with or without sciatica Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | This procedure is not routinely funded. In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must apply for prior approval by fully completing the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly state the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Dupuytren’s Contracture Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC18 Dupuytren's Contracture Release recommendation v2.0 | In the first instance GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk/ If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Dupuytrens Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters and supporting information to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Earwax - Referral to ENT Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC88 Management of Earwax - December 2019 This policy does not apply to patients with Down’s syndrome, patients with cleft palate (whether repaired or not) or other craniofacial abnormalities. | Prior Approval is required for referral to ENT. Please fully complete the following form: ENT-Earwax-removal-Form and email it to the IFR Service at bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. |
| Ectropion and Entropion - indications for surgery Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC 70 Ectropion and entropion v2.0 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Eyelid Surgery Ectropion and Entropion Form BU or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Eflornithine for facial hirsutism (Vaniqa© Cream) Procedure Not Routinely Funded | BMKPC 4 4 Eflornithine for facial hirsutism | This is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly outline the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Elective Endovascular repair infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms | National Policy NHS England Complex Endovascular Stent Grafts in Abdominal Aortic Aneuruysm - April 2013 | For further information contact NHS England |
| Electrical stimulation (including Functional Electrical Stimulation - FES) for Upper and Lower Limb Dysfunction Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC62 Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for Upper and Lower Limb Dysfunction of Central Neurological Origin - October 2017 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Eligibility for NHS transport for patients in non-emergency situations | BMKPC 50 50 Eligibility for NHS transport for Patients in Non-Emergency Situations - Buckinghamshire | As per the policy |
| Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for excessive sweating and/or facial blushing Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC25 Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) - Botulinum Toxin A and Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy - November 2015 / updated 2019 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Epidural injections for managing low back pain with or without sciatica - Diagnostic Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must apply for prior approval by fully completing the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly state the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Epidural injections for neurogenic claudication in people who have central spinal canal stenosis are not normally funded. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Epidural injections for managing low back pain with or without sciatica - Therapeutic Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Low back pain and sciatica form v2 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly state the how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Epidural injections for neurogenic claudication in people who have central spinal canal stenosis are not normally funded. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Erectile Dysfunction treatments Including: Alprostadil cream, Erectile pumps/devices and psychosexual interventions Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC34 Erectile Dysfunction v3.0 | Prior approval is not required where the patient meets the criteria in full for the listed drugs. This intervention will be audited as per the contract audit process. If the patient does not meet the criteria and there is a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need. Email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Erectile Dysfunction treatments Including: the drugs sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil and avanafil and prostaglandin E1 intracavernosal injections and intraurethral instillations Procedure Funded Subject to Audit | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC34 Erectile Dysfunction v3.0 | Prior approval is not required where the patient meets the criteria in full for the listed drugs. This intervention will be audited as per the contract audit process. If the criteria are not fully met, prior to referral and treatment, please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Exceptional Circumstances Submission Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Excess Treatment Costs (ETCs) for non-commercial clinical trials Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC37 Excess Treatment Costs (ETCs) for non-commercial clinical trials - January 2016 / updated January 2019 - June 2019 | This is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Facet Joint Injections & Medial Branch Block for low back pain - Diagnostic Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Facet Joint Injections & Medial Branch Block for low back pain - Therapeutic Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Facet Joint Injections & Medial Branch Blocks for chronic neck pain - Diagnostic Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC56 FJI and MBB for chronic neck pain v2.0 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Facet Joint Injections & Medial Branch Blocks for chronic neck pain - Therapeutic Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC56 FJI and MBB for chronic neck pain v2.0 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Management of Female Pelvic Organ Prolapse Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC59 Management of female pelvic organ prolapse v2 | This procedure always requires prior approval from the IFR service. If the GP wishes to refer to secondary care, or a Consultant wishes to treat, they must apply for prior approval by either fully completing the following: Female Pelvic Organ Prolapse Form v2 or providing detailed clinic letter(s) which clearly indicate how the patient meets criteria. Email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultant must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Female Sterilisation Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC68 Female sterilisation v2.0 | Female sterilisation is not normally funded. If there are exceptional circumstances these must be clearly detailed when applying for consideration. Please complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptionality. Please email the form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Femoro-acetabular (Hip) Impingement (Arthroscopic and open Approaches) – Surgical Treatment - Hip Impingement surgery Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC33 Surgical treatment of hip impingement Policy Update v2.0 | In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Hip Impingement Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the patient meets the criteria. Email the completed form /letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. In reference to TVPC33 Policy statement for Hip Impingement Surgery and prior approval process agreed providers and referral contacts are: Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust Hospitals (Frimley Park, Heatherwood and Wexham Park Hospitals): Mr Jonathan Hull and Mr Sebastian Sturridge Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Reading: Mr Tom Pollard and Mr Tony Andrade Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford: Mr Sion Glyn-Jones Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust: Mr Gurdeep Biring Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital: None Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Filtered and Coloured Lenses Procedure Not Routinely Funded | BMKPC TBC 27 Filtered and Coloured Lenses - July 2006 | These are not routinely funded. For these requests a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form : IFR application form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Flash Glucose Monitoring System (Freestyle Libre®) | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC73 Flash Glucose System policy v2-BU | Prior approval is not required where the patient meets the criteria in full and will be managed through the Buckinghamshire formulary traffic light system. |
| Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in children, adolescents and adults - diagnosis and treatment outside of normal locally commissioned services Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC77 Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders v2.0 | There are locally commissioned services within Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Neurology. National specialist assessment and treatment programmes soley for the diagnosis and treatment of FASD in children, adolescents and adults are not normally funded. For these requests a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form : IFR application form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) in Drop Foot of Central Origin Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC62 Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for Upper and Lower Limb Dysfunction of Central Neurological Origin - October 2017 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Functional endoscopic or sinus surgery, surgery in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis(CRS) and nasal polyposis(NP) Procedure Funded Subject to Audit | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC21 Chronic rhinosinusitis v2.0 | This procedure is funded subject to audit. Please refer your patient directly by the Electronic Referral System if they fully meet the criteria outlined in the policy. If the criteria are not fully met, prior to referral and treatment, please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Rhinosinusitis Form v1.3 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Gallstones - management of asymptomatic gallstones / cholecystectomy Procedure Funded Subject to Audit | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC75 Management of asymptomatic gallstones v2.0 | This procedure is funded subject to audit. Please refer your patient directly by the Electronic Referral System if they fully meet the criteria outline in the policy. If the criteria are not fully met, prior to referral and treatment, please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Management-of-asymptomatic-gallstones-Form-BU-v1.2 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters and supporting information to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Ganglion (including Ganglion of the wrist) Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC15 Ganglion cysts v2.0 | This procedure is not routinely funded in secondary care. In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must apply for prior approval by fully completing the following: Ganglion Form or providing detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Haemorrhoids Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC72 Haemorrhoids policy v2.0 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Haemorrhoids Form or providing detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Hallux Valgus (Bunions) - Surgery for painful big toe Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC47 Surgery for painful big toe (bunion) - July 2016 / updated January 2019 - June 2019 | In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Bunion Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Hearing aids for adults Procedure Funded and Subject to Audit | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC86 Hearing aids for hearing loss in adults - January 2019 - June 2019 | This procedure is funded subject to audit where the criteria outlined in the policy are fully met. If the criteria are not fully met please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Hearing Aids for adults Form or providing detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Hernia (Abdominal/Ventral) Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC48 Hernia 2021 v2.0 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Hernia Form v1.4 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the patient meets the criteria. Email the completed form/letters and supporting information to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Hernia (Epigastric) Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC48 Hernia 2021 v2.0 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Hernia Form v1.4 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the patient meets the criteria. Email the completed form/letters and supporting information to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Hernia (Femoral, Spigelian or Inguino-scrotal) Prior Approval not required | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC48 Hernia 2021 v2.0 | This procedure is funded subject to audit. Please refer your patient directly for surgical opinion for patients with the following conditions where prior approval for surgery is not required: - diagnosis of femoral hernia - diagnosis of Spigelian hernia, following ultrasound confirmation - diagnosis of an inguino-scrotal hernia - women with suspected groin hernias |
| Hernia (Incisional) Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC48 Hernia 2021 v2.0 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Hernia Form v1.4 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the patient meets the criteria. Email the completed form/letters and supporting information to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Hernia (Inguinal) Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC48 Hernia 2021 v2.0 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Hernia Form v1.4 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the patient meets the criteria. Email the completed form/letters and supporting information to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Hernia (Umbilical) Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC48 Hernia 2021 v2.0 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Hernia Form v1.4 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the patient meets the criteria. Email the completed form/letters and supporting information to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| High-intensity focused ultrasound for colorectal liver metastases | NHS England MOBBB 76 High-intensity focused ultrasound for colorectal liver metastases for information only. | For further information contact NHS England |
| Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery - follow up appointments Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC8 Follow-up appointments after primary hip and knee joint replacement surgery - May 2014 / Updated November 2018 | In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: General Funding Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Hip joint revision surgery Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC55 Primary hip and knee replacement revision surgery - March 2017 / updated January 2019 - June 2019 | In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk/ If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Primary Hip Replacement Revision Surgery Form or providing detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Hip Resurfacing for Advanced Arthropathy | NICE TA 304 | NICE Technology Appraisal 304 (2014) has superseded the previous Hip Resurfacing for Advanced Arthropathy policy. |
| Hysterectomy Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC58 Hysterectomy v2.0 Medicines & Healthcare product Regulatory Agency (MHRA) MRHA Safety Altert - 7 August 2018 | Patients are to be referred to the local Gynaecological Service for assessment and counselling. If the Gynaecological Service wishes to refer to secondary care, or a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible before referral and treatment. Please fully complete the following: Hysterectomy form v2.1 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Immunotherapy for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC97 Immunotherapy for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis Replaces Grazax 49 January 2020 | This is not routinely funded. For these requests a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form : IFR application form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Impacted Third Molars - Wisdom teeth | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator devices for non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Implementation of NICE Interventional Procedures Guidance (IPGs), Medical Technologies Guidance (MTGs) and Diagnostic Technologies Guidance (DTGs) Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC41 Implementation of NICE IPGs, MTG and DTGS - March 2016 / updated January 2019 - June 2019 | IFR application form |
| Inpatient pain management programmes for adults with chronic pain | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Intracranial Aneurysms – treatment of incidentally discovered IAs | National Policy NHS England Flow Diverting Device for Intracranial Aneurysms - April 2013 | For further information contact NHS England |
| Intrathecal Baclofen pumps for severe spascity | National Policy NHS England Intrathecal Baclofen | For further information contact NHS England |
| Intravenous Lidocaine infusions for chronic pain Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC90 Intravenous Lidocaine infusions for chronic pain - March 2019 - June 2019 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IF service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must also be provided. If there is an exceptional health need, please complete fully the following form: IFR application form and email the form to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. |
| Intravenous versus oral steroids for exacerbations of multiple scleroisis | MOBBB 67 MOBBB Intravenous versus oral steroids for exacerbations of multiple sclerosis - January 2012 | |
| Iron Chelation in Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC79 Iron Chelation in Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) - February 2019 | This is not routinely funded. For these requests a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form : Exceptional Circumstances Submission Form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Knee joint revision surgery Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC55 Primary hip and knee replacement revision surgery - March 2017 / updated January 2019 - June 2019 | In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk/ If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Primary Knee Replacement Revision Surgery Form or providing detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Long term Bell's Palsey Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC12 Botulinum Toxin A - Nov 2019_v1.1 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must also be provided. Please complete fully the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS, marketed in the UK as the Exogen system) for delayed non-union fracture Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC10 Non union fracture v1.0 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IF service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must also be provided. If there is an exceptional health need, please complete fully the following form: IFR application form and email the form to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. |
| Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms - Highly specialist adult urinary and gynaecological surgery | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Managing the boundaries of NHS and privately-funded healthcare - NHS V Private Funding | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC35 Managing the boundaries of NHS & privately funded healthcare | There is no obligation for the GP to prescribe treatment recommended by a private practitioner if it is contrary to local agreement or outside normal clinical practice. The NHS will not normally fund treatments that have been recommended by a private practitioner if that treatment is not normally commissioned within the local area. The fact that a patient can demonstrate they have benefited from the private treatment does not necessarily provide grounds for continuing the treatment in the NHS as an exception. Patients who commence care privately can request that further treatment be provided within the NHS. Their clinical needs should be reassessed for NHS treatment within the same regime of priorities applicable to NHS patients with the same condition. Prior approval will be required from the IFR service if it is a restricted procedure. Please use the appropriate application form for the specific intervention required. The CCG will not be responsible for retrospective funding of earlier treatment where patients who have received private treatment then transfer to the NHS. |
| Manipulation of temporomandibular joint together with intra-articular injection of steroids under general anaesthesia Procedure Not Routinely Funded | This procedure in not routinely funded. Manipulation of the temporomandibular joint together with the intra-articular injection of steroids under general anaesthesia is not recommended as a first line treatment and should be considered as a second line treatment in exceptional circumstances. This is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
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| Melatonin treatment in children Procedure Funded Subject to Audit | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC54 Melatonin treatment in children - February 2017 / updated March 2019 - June 2019 | Prior approval is not required where the patient meets the criteria in full. This intervention will be audited as per the contract audit process. If the criteria are not fully met, prior to referral and treatment, please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Exceptional Circumstances Submission Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Methylphenidate and atomoxetine in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents Procedure Funded Subject to Audit | MOBBB 14 Methylphenidate and atomoxetine in Children and adolescents with ADHD - July 2010 | Where the patient fully meets the criteria outlined in the policy then prior approval is not required. These cases may be audited. If the criteria are not met but the consultant wishes to treat then prior approval will be required. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form: Exceptional Circumstances Submission Form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Myringotomy and Grommets for otitis media with effusion Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC20 Surgical management of otitis media with effusion in children (under the age of 12 years) - November 2015 / updated January 2019 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Adenoidectomy with Grommets Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for wound healing - Pressure ulcer and venous leg ulcer Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC87 Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for wound healing - January 2019 - June 2019 | This procedure is not routinely funded for pressure and venous leg ulcers If there are exceptional circumstances these must be clearly detailed when applying for consideration. Please complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptionality. Please email the form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Neurosurgery for cerebral metastases | National Policy NHS England Stereotactic radiosurgery - radiotherapy for cerebral metastases - April 2013 | For further information contact NHS England |
| NHS prescribing following private consultation | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC36 NHS Prescribing following private consultation - January 2016 / updated January 2019 - June 2019 | |
| Open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC53 Open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and standing -upright MRI scans - February 2017 / updated March 2019 - June 2019 | If the GP / Clinician wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: MRI Scan Form or provide detailed clinic letter(s) which clearly state how the patient meets the criteria for consideration. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Orthodontics | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Orthognathic surgery | NHS England Interim Clinical Commissioning Policy: Orthognathic surgery - November 2013 | For further information contact NHS England |
| Botulinum toxin Type A (Botox) - Overactive Bladder Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC12 Botulinum Toxin A - Nov 2019_v1.1 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: General Funding Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the form/letters to the referral triage service Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Botulinum toxin Type A (Botox) - Spasticity Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC12 Botulinum Toxin A - Nov 2019_v1.1 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: General Funding Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the form/letters to the referral triage service Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Penile Rehabilitation following prostate surgery Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC40 Penile Rehabilitation following prostate surgery - March 2016 / updated January 2019 - June 2019 | This is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need. Please email the form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Pharmacological treatments for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in men | MOBBB 82 Pharmacological treatments for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in men - Sept 2012 | Where the patient fully meets the criteria outlined in the policy then prior approval is not required. These cases may be audited. If the criteria are not met but the consultant wishes to treat then prior approval will be required. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form: Exceptional Circumstances Submission Form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Photodynamic Therapy for Age-related Macular Degneration | BMKPC 33 Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for age-related macular degeneration - July 2006 | |
| Polysomnography in the investigation of children with sleep-related disorders | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation Policy Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC102 Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation policy v1.0 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must also be provided. Please complete the following form. IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Preimplant genetic diagnosis (PGD) | National Policy NHS England Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis(PGD) | For further information contact NHS England |
| Primary Hip Joint Replacement Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC49 Policy update primary hip and knee replacement July 2021 v2.0 | In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk/ If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Primary-Hip-Replacement-Form or providing detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Primary Knee Joint Replacement Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC49 Policy update primary hip and knee replacement July 2021 v2.0 | In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk/ If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Primary-Knee-Replacement-Form or providing detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Radiofrequency Ablation and Cryotherapy for Renal Tumours | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Radiofrequency denervation for chronic low back pain Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Low back pain and sciatica form v2 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly state the health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Radiofrequency denervation of sacroiliac joint pain Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | This procedure is not routinely funded. In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must apply for prior approval by fully completing the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly state the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Real-time continuous glucose monitors for adults with type 1 diabetes Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC64 Continuous glucose monitors v2 | Where the patient meets the criteria within the published commissioning policy, prior approval funding should be requested via the Blueteq High Cost Drugs Portal (click here) If the patient does not meet the criteria and there is a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need please fully complete the following: or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need. Email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at scwcsu.CPIS.requests@nhs.net for consideration. |
| Real-time continuous glucose monitors for paediatric patients with Type 1 Diabetes Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC89 Real-time Continuous Glucose Monitors for Paediatrics Patients with Type 1 Diabetes - March 2019 - June 2019 | Where the patient meets the criteria within the published commissioning policy, prior approval funding should be requested via the Blueteq High Cost Drugs Portal (click here) If the patient does not meet the criteria and there is a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need please fully complete the following: or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need. Email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at scwcsu.CPIS.requests@nhs.net for consideration. |
| Reconstructive breast surgery post breast cancer Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC91 Reconstructive breast surgery post breast cancer - May 2019 | The Thames Valley Priorities Committee has considered a review of reconstructive breast surgery post breast cancer, taking account of national guidance, local specialist views and data on reconstructive surgery including; surgery on the affected breast, surgery on the contralateral side and lipofilling. The Committee has acknowledged, as per the national guidance, that due to the complexity of the cancer and patient related factors, breast reconstruction can be a planned programme of operations to optimise cancer and aesthetic outcomes and to support high quality survivorship. Further surgery post 5 years after the completion of the planned reconstructive surgery for cosmetic reasons alone is not normally funded. These procedures are not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need and the patient meets the criteria for consideration, please complete fully the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Research trials and NHS Funding - Excess treatment costs - Post-trial treatments Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC38 Research trials and NHS funding: Excess treatment costs; Post-trial treatments - January 2016 / updated January 2019 - June 2019 | These are not routinely funded and prior approval must always be obtained. IFR application form |
| Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) (Willis-Ekbom disease) Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC94 Primary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) (Willis-Ekbom disease) - July 2019 | Prior to referral for specialist opinion, please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Restless Legs Syndrome Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Reversal of Female Sterilisation Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC69 Reversal of female and male sterilisation v2.0 | Reversal of sterilisation is not normally funded. If there are exceptional circumstances these must be clearly detailed when applying for consideration. Please email the request to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. IFR application form Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Reversal of Male Sterilisation (vasetcomy) Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC69 Reversal of female and male sterilisation v2.0 | Reversal of sterilisation is not normally funded. If there are exceptional circumstances these must be clearly detailed when applying for consideration. Please email request to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. IFR application form Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Sacral Nerve Stimulation in faecal incontinence | National Policy NHS England Sacral nerve stimulation SNS for faecal incontinence in Adults | For further information contact NHS England |
| Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) | National Policy NHS England Selective dorsal rhizotomy | For further information contact NHS England |
| Sequential Cochlear implants in profoundly deaf children | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Serum P1NP measurement in the management of osteoporosis Procedure Not Routinely Funded | BMKPC 69 Serum P1NP measurement in the management of osteoporosis - February 2008 | This is not routinely funded. For these requests a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form : IFR application form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Severe and complex obesity - Tier 4 Eligibility for bariatric surgery Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC39 Severe and complex obesity eligibility for bariatric surgery v2.0 | Weight Management Services including Bariatric Surgery Please note information concerning Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 services as bariatric surgery is not offered outside of the MDT Tier 3 pathway. Application will be normally expected from the Tier 3 MDT/Consultants.  Tier 1 and 2 Primary Care Tier 3 accessed by referral from GP/ Primary Care Prior Approval is not require for referral to Tier 3. In addition to offering a programme of care, Tier 3 services will select and refer patients to their GP for onward consideration for Bariatric Surgery at Tier 4. Tier 4 - Complex and Specialised Obesity Surgery Bariatric Surgery Tier 4 v1.1 Email the completed form with any supporting documents to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. |
| Short sight/long sight corrective (laser) surgery (Refractive keratoplasty) Procedure Not Routinely Funded | This procedure in not routinely funded. Cases will only be considered where laser or operative correction is the only treatment available to restore reasonable visual acuity /or where there are substantial other medical reasons that make correction by external visual aids inappropriate. This is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need. Please email the form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
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| Sialorrhoea (Severe Drooling) Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC12 Botulinum Toxin A - Nov 2019_v1.1 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria is met. Please email the completed form/ letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Smoking cessation before planned surgery | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC78 Smoking cessation pre surgery v2.0 | Policy for information. |
| Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea / Hypopnoea Syndrome (OSAHS) in adults Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC61 Snoring and Obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) v2.0 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by by fully completing the following: Snoring-and-OSAHS-Form or providing detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. Link to STOP-Bang Questionnaire http://www.stopbang.ca/osa/screening.php |
| Spinal Cord Stimulation for ischaemic pain | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Spinal Cord Stimulation for neuropathic pain | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Spinal decompression for sciatica (including laminectomy, undercutting facetectomy and disectomy) Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Low back pain and sciatica form v2 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly state the health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Spinal fusion for people with low back pain Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | This procedure is not routinely funded. In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must apply for prior approval by fully completing the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need. Please email the form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. |
| Spinal injections for managing low back pain including: facet joint, medial branch blocks, intradiscal injections, prolotherapy (proliferation therapy or regenerative injection therapy) and trigger point injections Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | These procedures are not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service prior to referral and treatment. For these cases a strong case on grounds of an exceptional health need must also be provided. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Spinal manipulation for the treatment of chronic, non-specific low back pain Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | This procedure is not routinely funded in secondary care. In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must they apply for prior approval by fully completing the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Standing and upright magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC53 Open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and standing -upright MRI scans - February 2017 / updated March 2019 - June 2019 | This is a procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service. If there is exceptional health need please fully complete the following and indicate the exceptional health need. If the GP / Clinician wishes to treat, and there is a strong case on the grounds of exceptional health need, approval from the IFR service must be obtained. Please fully complete the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letter(s) which clearly state how the patient meets the criteria and the exceptional health need. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Subacromial decompression for shoulder impingement Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC50 Subacromial decompression for shoulder impingement v2 Dec 2020 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Subacromial Decompression of the Shoulder v2 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly state the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. This is not required in the case of RED FLAG symptoms as described on the policy. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Temporomandibular Joint Replacement | NHS England | For further information contact NHS England |
| Testosterone Patch for Female Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) Procedure Not Routinely Funded | BMKPC 59 Testosterone Patch (Intrinsa®) for Female Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder - December 2007 | This is not routinely funded. For these requests a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. If there is exceptional health need please complete fully the following form : IFR application form Please email the completed application to Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Tonsillectomy - Obstructive sleep apnoea in adults Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC22 Tonsillectomy for surgical management of recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnoea in children and adults - May 2015 / Updated September 2019 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Tonsillectomy for sleep disordered breathing Form - Adults or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Tonsillectomy - Obstructive sleep apnoea in children Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC22 Tonsillectomy for surgical management of recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnoea in children and adults - May 2015 / Updated September 2019 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Tonsillectomy for sleep disordered breathing Form - Children or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Tonsillectomy - Recurrent tonsillitis Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC22 Tonsillectomy for surgical management of recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnoea in children and adults - May 2015 / Updated September 2019 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Tonsillectomy Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Transcatheter Aortic Valve implantation for aortic stenosis | National Policy NHS England Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) for Aortic Stenosis | For further information contact NHS England |
| Transforaminal Epidural Injections for Sciatica - Diagnostic Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | This procedure is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service before referral and treatment. In the first instance GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must apply for prior approval by fully completing the following: IFR application form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need. Please email the completed form/letters to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Transforaminal Epidural Injections for Sciatica - Therapeutic Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC52 Management of low back pain and sciatica Dec20 v2 | In the first instance GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wishes to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Low back pain and sciatica form v2 or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Treatments for Gender Dysphoria Procedure Not Routinely Funded | National Policy NHS England Interim Gender Dysphoria Protocol and Service Guidelines 2013/14 Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Statement TVPC2 Treatments for Gender Dysphoria Feb 2019/a> | Patients should be referred to a specialist centre in line with the NHS England National Policy and Thames Valley policy recommendations. IFR application form TVPC2 GP referral information for Gender Dysphoria Services October 2014 |
| Trigger Finger Surgery (Stenosing Tenosynovitis,Stenosing Tenovaginosis) Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC23 Trigger finger - May 2015 / Updated July 2019 | In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk If the MusIC service wish to refer to secondary care, or if a Consultant wishes to treat, they must check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Trigger Finger Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters and suporting information to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Ultrasound guided injections for hip pain (trochanteric bursitis and osteoarthritis of the hip) Procedure Funded Subject to Audit | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC32 Ultrasound Guided Injections for Hip Pain Policy Update v2.0 | In the first instance, GP's refer to the local MusIC service for assessment and treatment http://www.buckinghamshire-music.nhs.uk This procedure is funded subject to audit. Please refer your patient directly if they fully meet the criteria outlined in the policy. If the criteria are not fully met, prior to referral and treatment, please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: General Funding Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters to the referral service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Varicose Veins Procedure that requires Prior Approval | Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC1 Interventional Procedures for Varicose Veins - October 2014/ updated January 2019 | Prior to referral and treatment please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible by fully completing the following: Varicose Veins Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letters and supporting information to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Vasectomy - Male Sterilisation Procedure Not Routinely Funded | Primary Care Referral Thames Valley Priorities Committee Commissioning Policy Statement TVPC4 Vasectomy v2.0 TVVS vasectomy COVID_referral_guidance | Please refer your patient for local anaesthetic vasectomy in primary care to Thames Valley Vasectomy Services. Please complete the following form and send it directly to Thames Valley Vasectomy Services tvvs.admin@nhs.net for consideration. IFR application form This procedure is not routinely funded in secondary care. For these cases a strong case on grounds of exceptional health need must be provided. Prior to treatment or to referral into secondary care for vasectomy please check with our referral triage service that the patient is eligible. If treatment in secondary care is required please provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate how the policy criteria are met and why the patient cannot be treated within primary care. Please email the letter to the referral triage service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Vasectomy reversal is not routinely funded and prior approval is always required from the IFR service providing a strong case on the grounds of exceptional health. Please email the letter to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
| Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty | NICE TA 279 | If the patient does not meet in full the NICE TA prior approval is always required from the IFR service before referral and treatment. Please fully complete the following Exceptional Circumstances Submission Form or provide detailed clinic letters which clearly indicate the exceptional health need and how the policy criteria are met. Please email the completed form/letter to the IFR service at Bucks.IFRrequests@nhs.net for consideration. Consultants must ensure that funding is in place prior to treatment. |
For more information
Please email the IFR service at bucks.ifrrequests@nhs.net for all enquiries about the policy statements or the process for considering Individual Funding Requests.