Patients denied simple operations

The claims have been made in a letter to the Guardian newspaper from the representatives of six major surgeons’ bodies.

They say operations are being scrapped for common hernias and back pain through to varicose vein removal.

They claim that some PCTs “have arbitrarily defined a number of operations that reduce pain, improve quality of life and prevent serious long-term complications as being of limited clinical value.”

The Department of Health says it was inconceivable that any PCT would sanction this approach, without consulting surgeons first.

One of the signatories on the letter was Mr John Black, President of the Royal College of Surgeons.

“Some silly suggestions have been made and cuts are being made to appropriate routine procedures with complete medical ignorance of what might happen in the long term.

“Cuts in basic surgery is a very dangerous place to start. There will be a long term price to pay,” he warned.

Another signatory, Michael Bell, President of the British Orthopaedic Association, says people are being refused simple treatments under local anaesthetic.

“Somebody has decided it’s not of benefit, but the PCT should follow guidelines and not make arbitrary decisions.”

According to Liberal Democrat shadow health secretary, Norman Lamb, the surgeons’ concerns were yet more evidence that cuts are being made on the NHS without the public’s knowledge.

“It’s enormously concerning that basic surgical procedures are being withheld as part of desperate efforts to save money. Unfortunately managers in the NHS have a long history of cutting the wrong staff and services when budgets are put under pressure.”

By Deepika Dudakia