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List of Funding Policies

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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 or email: bnssg.efr@nhs.net

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 simultaneously, 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

Breast Surgery

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 12yrs with Persistent Otitis Media with Effusion Policy - Criteria Based Access
Grommets – Surgical Referral for Patients over 12yrs with Persistent Otitis Media with Effusion - Criteria Based Access
Grommets - Elective Surgical Referral for Children under 16yrs with Recurrent Acute Otitis Media - Prior Approval
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 & Soft Tissue Removal Policy - Exceptional Funding Request
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 Policy - Exceptional Funding Request
Cosmetic Contact Lenses Policy - Exceptional Funding Request
Cosmetic Surgery or Treatment
Divarication of Recti Policy - Exceptional Funding Request - this policy has been removed (01/02/2024) and incorporated in the updated Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair for Patients 16 Years and Over CBA Policy
Epididymal Cysts
External Ear Surgery
Facial Surgery and Treatment
Female Genitalia Surgery Policy - Exceptional Funding Request
Forefoot Surgery in Secondary Care
Ganglion Referral and Removal via Sirona MSKI Teams only
Hair Removal (Including electrolysis and laser therapy, also covering complex pilonidal sinus disease and para stomal disease) Policy - Prior Approval
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 - Policy retired on 01/08/2023. Criteria added to commissioning policy for Hair Removal (including electrolysis and laser therapy).
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

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

General Surgery

Divarication of Recti Policy - Exceptional Funding Request - this policy has been removed (01/02/2024) and incorporated in the updated Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair for Patients 16 Years and Over CBA Policy
Surgical Treatment of Haemorrhoids Policy - Criteria Based Access
Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair for Patients 16 Years and Over Policy - Criteria Based Access (This policy includes Divarication of Recti)

GI & Liver

Alfa Pumps for the Removal of Ascites due to Liver Disease - Policy retired on 01/08/2023.
Anal Skin Tag Removal
Gallbladder Removal in Adult Patients – Over 18 years
Surgical Treatment of Haemorrhoids Policy - Criteria Based Access
Radiofrequency Ablative Therapy for the Treatment of High Grade Dysplasia in Barrett’s Oesophagus - Policy retired on 01/08/2023.
Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy and Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection (STARR)
SpyGlass® Direct Visualisation Cholangioscopy in Complex Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) Disease - Removal of policy on 01/08/2023.
Weight Management Service – Tier 3 and Tier 4 Service

Gynaecology

Diagnostic Dilation and Curettage (D&C) in Women <40 yrs with Menorrhagia - Policy retired on 01/08/2023.
Female Genitalia Surgery
Female Sterilisation & Reversal Policy - Prior Approval
Infertility Assessment and Treatment
Hysterectomy for Menorrhagia
Intrauterine Coil Insertion and Removal in Secondary Care Policy - Criteria Based Access
Reversal of Vasectomy or Female Sterilisation - Policy retired on 01/08/2023. Policy criteria has been added to the Female Sterilisation policy.

Infertility

Infertility Assessment and Treatment

Neurology

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 was therefore removed on 01/04/2023.

Ophthalmology

Oral & Maxillofacial

Orthopaedics

Pain Management

Radiology

Open MRI Scanner

Respiratory

Assessment Referral & Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea / Hypopnoea Syndrome (OSAHS) Policy - Criteria Based Access
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

Direct Access to DXA Scanning to Help Target Treatment in Adults at Potential Risk of Osteoporotic Fracture - Policy retired on 01/08/2023.

Screening