Almost 22m spent on restricted procedures such as tummy tucks

"Northern Ireland's health trusts spent almost 22m in a single year on restricted procedures which should only be carried out in very specific circumstances, according to the auditor general. Dorinnia Carville said about 12,000 operations, which include tummy tucks and tonsillectomies, were carried out in 2023-24 without any assurance they complied with government policy. Ms Carville described the lack of oversight by the Department of Health and the trusts as "very disappointing"."

"Health trusts must adhere to the Effective Use of Resources (EUR) policy which restricts 29 medical procedures, with six of these not permitted at all. The Audit Office report found 40 restricted procedures were carried out each day during that year. Other restricted procedures include liposuction, breast reduction, removal of breast implants, carpal tunnel and tattoo removal. About 6m was spent in a single year on removing patients' tonsils."

"The auditor general found the EUR policy was "not resulting in good value for money being achieved". She said: "Trusts have not put in place arrangements to verify that medical staff are complying with the policy." "At a time when our health service is facing increased demands and significant financial pressures, measures introduced to ensure the effective use of resources are vital. However, these can only be successful if they are properly implemented and monitored.""

About 12,000 restricted operations, including tummy tucks and tonsillectomies, were performed in 2023-24 without assurance of compliance with government policy. Health trusts spent almost £22 million on those procedures in that year, with about £6 million on tonsil removals alone. The Effective Use of Resources (EUR) policy restricts 29 procedures, six of which are entirely prohibited, yet around 40 restricted procedures occurred each day. No arrangements were in place to verify clinician compliance with EUR. The Department of Health and five health trusts acknowledged oversight weaknesses and accepted that oversight arrangements must be strengthened.

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