Hip replacements, cataract surgery and tonsil removal are among operations now being rationed in a bid to save the National Health Service money:
Hip replacements, cataract surgery and tonsil removal are among operations now being rationed in a bid to save the National Health Service money:
- Hip and knee replacements only being allowed where patients are in severe pain. Overweight patients will be made to lose weight before being considered for an operation.
- Cataract operations being withheld from patients until their sight problems “substantially” affect their ability to work.
- Patients with varicose veins only being operated on if they are suffering “chronic continuous pain”, ulceration or bleeding.
- Tonsillectomy (removing tonsils) only to be carried out in children if they have had seven bouts of tonsillitis in the previous year.
- Grommets to improve hearing in children only being inserted in “exceptional circumstances” and after monitoring for six months.
Full article in The Independent worth reading.
