The local NHS is asking people for their comments about proposals to offer fairer access to six healthcare services in mid and south Essex.
In July 2022, a change in the law created a new organisation, NHS Mid and South Essex, to take over local healthcare planning from the five former clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) serving the area.
These five organisations had been responsible for planning, buying and monitoring most local health services. While the majority of their policies were similar, six services had marked differences:
- Weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery)
- Correction for uneven breasts (breast asymmetry)
- Breast reduction
- Female sterilisation
- Vasectomy (male sterilisation)
- Special fertility services (intrauterine insemination or IUI for short, sperm and egg donation, and in-vitro fertilisation, usually called IVF)
Clinical experts in our area have looked at the latest evidence and practice for all six of these services, both nationally and locally, to ensure the local offer is high quality and safe. NHS Mid and South Essex has already met members of the groups most impacted by the proposals to seek advice on how best to shape the proposals.
Dr Ronan Fenton, Medical Director for the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System, said, “To provide equitable access to services across mid and south Essex, we want a single policy for each one.
“This is important as some residents within our health and care system currently don’t have the same access to these services as their neighbours do. The proposed changes to the services will correct that.
“We want to hear what our residents think of the plans so we can ensure we’re treating everyone fairly.”
The consultation runs from 31 October 2022 until 19 December 2022. You can find out more about the proposals and share your views by visiting https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/get-involved/how/consultations/
ENDS
