Clinical policies - share your views

We're inviting views to help update 25 clinical policies for treatments and procedures in line with the latest evidence of what works best, in the third phase of its harmonisation programme to also ensure equal access for patients no matter which part of the area they live in.

A total of 25 policies inherited by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside from predecessor clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) are being reviewed during the lifetime of the programme. This is to remove any variation that exists between different CCG areas and to ensure they meet the most up-to-date medical evidence, guidance and best practice.

These policies cover some specific treatments and procedures, such as acne treatment in hospital and keyhole surgery for hip impingement, which often only benefit certain groups of patients in some particular medical circumstances. The polices set out when and often where these treatments and procedures should be used, and which patients would benefit medically from them.

Already, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside has harmonised and published 84 policies in phases one and two of the programme and you can find them here.

Now, some changes are being proposed to the 25 policies in this latest phase of the programme. In general, the proposed changes are minor, however because they could mean that the way patients access care might be different and people are being encouraged to give their views in an online survey to help harmonise and finalise these documents.

You can complete the online survey before Wednesday 19 February at www.surveymonkey.com/r/NHSCM-CP3 or by scanning the QR code:

You can find more detailed information about the programme by reading the supporting document below.