Interesting

[wobbles]

Have just been watching a programme that has explained that if you're waiting longer than the 18 weeks from gp referral to surgery date, you can use this E112 form to apply to have the NHS fund your surgery abroad.

The E112

 

[shelbell]

does that include bariatric surgery? In my area it comes under Low Clinical Priority Procedures so I thought it was exempt from the 18 week rule. I am frequently wrong though

 

[Brunetteandred]

The 18 week pathway does not, in the majority of cases refer to 18 weeks from GP referral to surgery. It usually refers to 18 weeks from GP referral to first treatment - this could be an appointment with any health professional from that particular department. i.e. a diabetes patient seeing a diabetic specialist nurse.

The 18 weeks pathway is a government decree that we move away from the ;'bad old days' of patients having to wait months to see a specialist after referral from GP. This is why there is a now a plethora of walk-in treatment centres and choose-and-book options at some hospitals.

With regard to going abroad, one would have to have a very good reason for doing so as I know how careful commissioners are!

 

[Brunetteandred]

The DoH site has more info:

Tackling hospital waiting: the 18 week patient pathway - an implementation framework and delivery resource pack : Department of Health - Publications