ENT procedures soon low priority in England and Wales ?

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Low priority procedures – a uniquely British concept?Firstpage: 1 - Lastpage: 1V.J. LundMany of you, I hope, will be unfamiliar with the concept of `low priority procedures' which are the present preoccupation of the Department of Health in England and Wales. This is an idea which has been bouncing about for some years but in the deepening financial gloom has percolated to the surface and is of particular concern to otorhinolaryngologists. The exact interpretation and implementation of this policy is still uncertain particularly as it coincides with yet another seismic re-organisation of the NHS, in which most of the budget is to be controlled by primary care practitioners (whether they want it or not!) . However, in essence the policy of `low prior- ity procedures' targets a number of operations which includes adenotonsillectomy, grommet insertion, surgery for snoring, rhinoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery, impos- ing strict criteria on whether patients referred by general practitioners may be offered these operations or even referred for their consideration.