Getting the best outcome for your condition 

Background 

We want to ensure you are getting the best clinical outcome for your condition. For some conditions, we know that moving directly to surgery does not always give you the maximum benefit. People often imagine that surgery is the only, or best route, to take and actually there is a lot that can and importantly, should be done, before surgery is considered.

Following a period of engagement earlier in the year, we introduced a policy at the beginning of April 2017, using the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance in relation to a limited number of procedures, so that your own doctor and consultants can refer to this guidance and apply it consistently for everyone across Barnsley, getting the best clinical outcomes for people. 

That’s not to say it’s a one size fits all approach – your GP will discuss what realistic benefits you can get from different treatments and you'll decide together what could work best for you.

This is often referred to as Clinical Thresholds and to read the policy and the guidance on each of the initial ten procedures, please click here to take you to the relevant page. 

Next steps  

In line with the reasons highlighted above, the CCG has proposed the implementation of a second wave of clinical thresholds by 1^st December 2017; in relation to an additional ten procedures which are as follows:

• Male Circumcision
• Vasectomy
• Acupuncture for lower back pain
• Benign Perianal Skin Tags
• Hemorrhoidectomy
• In growing toe nail
• Hallux Valgus (bunions)
• Meibomian Cyst (cyst in the eyelid)
• Belpharoplasty (excess skin on the eyelids)
• Spinal joint injections

Inviting your views and feedback 

We have produced an information sheet which provides an update in relation to the feedback that we have received previously regarding the implementation of the first wave of clinical thresholds, along with further background information in relation to the implementation of a second wave of clinical thresholds.

After reading the information sheet, we would very much welcome any comments/ feedback/ questions that you may have regarding this work via the contact details provided below,  

To share your views and feedback, please contact Louise Exley, Commissioning and Transformation Project Co-ordinator via telephone on 01226 433779 or via email at barnccg.comms@nhs.net using the subject heading ‘Clinical Thresholds’ by Monday 23^rd October.

On behalf of Barnsley CCG, thank you for your interest in this work.