Residents in Lancashire and South Cumbria are being encouraged to have their say on new NHS clinical policies in the region.

The eight Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in Lancashire and South Cumbria have all agreed the need to develop their policies collaboratively to ensure a consistent and fair approach for everyone across the region.

All policies will be created following National Guidelines and best clinical practice to make sure that the limited resources available are being used to maximum effect for the local population.

As part of this ongoing process, drafts of five clinical policies are now open for patient and public engagement, feedback and comment. These policies are:

• Provision of Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Flash Glucose Monitoring for patients with Diabetes Mellitus (an existing policy updated to reflect changes in NHS England guidance)
• Provision of Wigs section of the Cosmetics Procedures Policy (an update to one section of an existing policy)
• Facial Nerve Rehabilitation and Electrotherapy (an updated existing policy)
• Hernia (abdominal) Surgery (a policy that currently exists in central Lancashire only and is being updated and expanded across the region)
• Chronic Rhinosinusitis Surgery (a new policy for the whole of Lancashire and South Cumbria, using mandatory guidance issued to CCGs by NHS England as part of their second wave of Evidence Based Interventions (EBI2), which are reviews of procedures and treatments supported by NICE and Royal Colleges).

Lancashire and South Cumbria residents are being asked to have their say by visiting the Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership website to get involved and provide feedback. Comments on these policies should be submitted by Wednesday 20 April.

Mr Andy Curran, Executive Medical Director for the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria, said:

“The CCGs in Lancashire and South Cumbria are responsible for commissioning a wide range of health services, including some hospitals, community, and mental health services and for paying for those services, for and on behalf of, the local population.

“A key role for the CCG is to develop clinical policies that help to make decisions about the use of the limited resources available.

“We know how important it is that this is done in an open, fair and transparent manner and that local patients and the public have the opportunity to have their say.

“I would encourage any resident with an interest in this policy to visit the website and take part in the survey.”

For more information about current clinical policy reviews and to have your say, visit: www.healthierlsc.co.uk/commissioningpolicy/current-clinical-policy-reviews