COVID-19 information List of Funding Policies
The policies are listed alphabetically on the ICB Policy Directory.
Alternatively, we have also listed the policies per specialty below and suggest that you check each section routinely to ensure there is not a policy applying to your referral before sending it off.
The funding policies do not limit referrals where there are safeguarding or cancer concerns. If any uncertainty, please call the EFR team on 0117 900 2244 before referring.
Policies fall into 3 categories:
- Criteria Based Access (CBA) - these policies do not require prior approval but referrals must meet criteria and this must be clear in any referral. Referrals will be returned if criteria are not met in full.
- Prior Approval (PA) - these policies require that prior approval is obtained. A prior approval form specific to each policy is available on EMIS (resource publisher) and should be completed together with supporting evidence. A referral can be submitted simulataneously, and if PA criteria are met then the referral will be forwarded as requested.
- Exceptional Funding - these policies cover areas where there is no funding available except in exceptional circumstances. There are no specific forms for these policies and the generic form below should be used:
- Exceptional Funding Request Application Form
Links below take you to the policy information and application form on the BNSSG ICB website.
Alternative Medicine
- Acupuncture
- Homeopathy
- Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and Clinical Ecology / Environmental Medicine
Breast Surgery
- Breast Reconstruction Post-Cancer
- Breast Surgery (for Females)
- Breast Surgery (for Males)
- MRI Breast Screening
- Risk Reducing Mastectomy
Children & Adolescents
Unless otherwise stated, all policies apply to both adults and children. Please see the relevant specialty for further details of each policy. The main areas which have a separate policy for children are:
- Grommets – Surgical Referral for Children under 12 yrs with Persistent Otitis Media with Effusion
- Grommets – for Children under 18 with Recurrent Otitis Media
- Hydroceles – Surgical Removal – under 16 years of age
- Penile Conditions – Surgical Opinion and Treatment including Circumcision in Patients under the age of 16
- Polysomnography tests for Children - this policy has been removed (07/04/21) as commissioning now sits with NHS England. Please see the OSA in children page for further information.
- Speech and Language Therapy for Children with Voice Disorders in Secondary Care
Cosmetic surgery / treatment
- Abdominal Loose Skin Removal
- Botulinum Toxin Treatment Policy - this policy has been removed (07/04/21) and guidance is now available on the BNSSG Joint Formulary
- Breast Surgery (for Females)
- Breast Surgery (for Males)
- Correction of Chest Wall Deformity for Cosmetic Purposes
- Cosmetic Contact Lenses
- Cosmetic Surgery or Treatment
- Divarication of Recti
- Epididymal Cysts
- External Ear Surgery
- Facial Surgery and Treatment
- Female Genitalia Surgery
- Forefoot Surgery in Secondary Care
- Ganglion Referral and Removal
- Hair Removal (including Electrolysis and Laser Therapy)
- Hyperhidrosis Treatment
- Liposuction
- Skin Camouflage Services
- Skin Excision for Contouring including Buttock, Arm and/or Thigh Lift
- Strabismus or Amblyopia in Adults (Surgical Correction of)
- Tattoo Removal
- Testicular Prosthesis
- Wigs, Hairpieces and Hair Replacement Systems
Dermatology
- Benign Skin Lesions
- Desensitizing Light Therapy in the Management of Severe Polymorphic Light Eruption - This policy has been reviewed in December 2021 and the decision was taken to remove it.
- Hyperhidrosis Treatment
- Laser Hair Removal for Pilonidal Disease
- Skin Camouflage Services
- Skin Excision for Contouring including Buttock, Arm and/or Thigh Lift
- Tattoo Removal
- Wigs, Hairpieces and Hair Replacement Systems
Endocrine & Metabolic Medicine
- Abbott FreeStyle Libre® Flash Glucose Monitoring System
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring - this policy has been removed (07/04/21) as a new pathway is available via the BNSSG Formulary
- Hyperhidrosis Treatment
- Weight Management Service – Tier 3 and Tier 4 Service
ENT
- Adenoidectomy
- Benign Skin Lesions
- External Ear Surgery
- Facial Surgery and Treatment
- Grommets – Surgical Referral for Patients over 12 yrs with Persistent Otitis Media with Effusion
- Grommets – Surgical Referral for Children under 12 yrs with Persistent Otitis Media with Effusion
- Grommets – for Children under 18 with Recurrent Otitis Media
- Laryngeal or Voice Box Surgery
- Microsuction for Ear Wax, Discharge or Debris Removal in Secondary Care
- Nasal Treatment – Non Cosmetic for All Ages
- Speech and Language Therapy for Children with Voice Disorders in Secondary Care
- Snoring – Surgical Intervention for Simple Snoring
- Temporomandibular Jaw Motion Rehabilitation Devices
- Tongue-Tie Division Surgery
- Tonsillectomy – All Ages
- Uvula Removal
General Surgery
GI & Liver
- Alfa Pumps for the Removal of Ascites due to Liver Disease
- Anal Skin Tag Removal
- Gallbladder Removal in Adult Patients – Over 18 years
- Haemorrhoids – Surgical Treatment
- Radiofrequency Ablative Therapy for the Treatment of High Grade Dysplasia in Barrett’s Oesophagus
- Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy and Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection (STARR)
- SpyGlass® Direct Visualisation Cholangioscopy in Complex Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) Disease
- Weight Management Service – Tier 3 and Tier 4 Service
Gynaecology
- Diagnostic Dilation and Curettage (D&C) in Women <40 yrs with Menorrhagia
- Female Genitalia Surgery
- Female Sterilisation
- Infertility Assessment and Treatment
- Hysterectomy for Menorrhagia
- Intrauterine Coil Insertion and Removal in Secondary Care
- Reversal of Vasectomy or Female Sterilisation
Infertility
Neurology
- Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale for Migraine
- Drop Foot; Surface Orthotic Functional Electrical Stimulation for Dropped Foot of Central Neurological Origin
Oncology
- One-Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA) as an Intra-Operative Diagnostic Method for Detecting Metastasis in Breast Cancer This policy was reviewed and deemed to be no longer needed and will therefore be removed on 01/04/2023.
Ophthalmology
- Blepharoplasty
- Cataract Surgery
- Chalazia Removal
- Cosmetic Contact Lenses
- Ectropion and Entropion Surgery
- Laser Eye Surgery for Refractive Error
- Multi-focal (non-accommodative) Intraocular Lenses in Treatment of Adults with Cataracts
- Raised Intraocular Pressure
- Strabismus or Amblyopia in Adults (Surgical Correction of)
- Vitreous Floaters
Oral & Maxillofacial
Orthopaedics
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery
- Chiropractic Assessment and Treatment
- Dupuytren’s Contracture Release in Adults
- EXOGEN Ultrasound Bone Healing System
- Forefoot Surgery in Secondary Care
- Ganglion Referral and Removal
- Hip Surgery (open or arthroscopic) for Pain including Femoroacetabular Impingement
- Hip Replacement Surgery (including Referral for Surgical Assessment of Osteoarthritis)
- Ingrown Toenail Treatment in Secondary Care
- Knee Arthroscopy and Irrigation
- Knee Replacement Surgery (including Partial and Total Knee Replacement with or without Patella Replacement or Resurfacing)
- Management of Low Back Pain and Sciatica in over 16s
- Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Post Operative Physiotherapy
- Shoulder Impingement Surgery for Subacromial Pain
- Spinal Surgical Opinion – Referral for Assessment
- Syndactyly – Surgical Correction of the Fingers
- Trigger Finger
Pain Management
- Acupuncture
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome referral for Adults
- Management of Low Back Pain and Sciatica in over 16s
- Pain Services for Assessment and Treatment, Referrals to Secondary Care
Radiology
Respiratory
- CPAP Treatment of OSAHS
- Polysomnography tests for Children - this policy has been removed (07/04/21) as commissioning now sits with NHS England. Please see the OSA in children page for further information.
Rheumatology
Screening
Thoracic Surgery
Urology
- Epididymal Cysts
- Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
- Hydroceles – Surgical Removal – under 16 years of age
- Hydroceles in Patients over 16 years of Age
- Penile Conditions – Surgical Opinion and Treatment including Circumcision in all Male Patients Over the Age of 16
- Penile Conditions – Surgical Opinion and Treatment including Circumcision in Patients under the age of 16
- Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) for Urinary Incontinence in Adults
- Prostatic Urethral Lift (UroLift® System)
- Reversal of Vasectomy or Female Sterilisation
- Testicular Prosthesis
- Vasectomy
Vascular
Misc (Guidance documents)
- Elective Treatment in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
- Management of Patients Moving In/Out of BNSSG CCG
- Post-Clinical Trial or Innovation Treatment
- Treatments Partially Commissioned by Other Commissioners