Putting Barnsley people first...
Tonsillectomy Adults and Children’s
Some adults and children have very bad sore throats that keep coming back again and again. This may stop them from going to work or school.
Sometimes, taking out their tonsils helps. This medical intervention is called tonsillectomy. A tonsillectomy is an operation to remove the tonsils from the back of the throat. We propose that doctors only prescribe this procedure in very severe cases.
Does it work?
Evidence has shown that this intervention has limited clinical value, meaning that it is not always effective. Therefore, the NHS believes that a tonsillectomy should be done only in very specific cases when certain criteria are met. Please click here to look at the criteria (link to policy page).
How to be referred?
As the intervention has limited clinical value and is not always effective, it requires prior approval via the Individual Funding Request (IFR) panel.
If the criteria are met and your Doctor thinks that you may benefit from this intervention, they will apply to the IFR panel. The IFR panel will then assess the application and make a decision about your treatment.
The IFR panel meets weekly and aims to consider cases within 14days. The panel’s decision will be communicated to you by letter if you are an adult or by letter to your GP if you are the guardian of a child applying for funding.
If your IFR application is rejected (meaning that your surgery will not be funded by the NHS), then you or your GP has the right to appeal to the IFR panel against this decision within 90days. The panel is independent to your local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
Get Fit First
The Get Fit First policy applies to this intervention for Adults. The Get Fit First policy does not apply to children.
For further information please see the Get Fit First page.