CCGs ignore clinical evidence in their commissioning policies, warns report

Patients are facing long delays for surgical treatment because clinical commissioning groups are ignoring evidence-based guidance on when to provide surgery, according to a new report. A new Royal College of Surgeons’ study finds that CCGs are imposing arbitrary referral restrictions and denying access to vital surgical procedures, which can significantly improve the quality of life for patients. The Report: Is Access to Surgery A Postcode Lottery? is one of the first investigations of its kind and analyses information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act gathered in April. It reveals that 73% of the CCGs reviewed do not follow NICE and