Exceptional Treatment Guidance

Hertfordshire PCTs Exeptional Treatment Panel

Introduction

PCTs are responsible for commissioning healthcare services for their resident population.  In respect of this responsibility, they are allocated a finite level of resources.  Through a process of contracting or agreeing service level agreements, arrangements are made with healthcare providers, both NHS and other, to ensure that appropriate population needs for healthcare can be met.  However, there are a number of instances in which treatment may be requested which is not (or is believed to be not) covered by existing arrangements.  Examples include where new and extremely high cost drugs have become available unexpectedly in-year, or where owing to the rarity of the condition or treatment, it is not available from existing local providers or other contracted services.

Following the commencement of the two new PCTs on 1st October, there is a need to establish arrangements for managing these instances.  Previously all 8 PCTs had their own arrangements.   

The new proposed Exceptional Treatment Panel will consider requests for treatment from both PCTs.  They would work alongside the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Priorities Forum (or successor group), whose major aim is to provide guidance to the local NHS as to the interventions which should be given high or low priority for available resources. 

This policy relates to requests for treatments which are not funded within existing service level agreements.  It only covers patients registered with a GP in one of the Hertfordshire PCTs.

More . . .

External Links

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Priorities Forum