Access to surgery should be based on clinical need
06 Dec 2013
Commenting on patients' access to surgery, Professor Norman Williams, President of the Royal College of Surgeons, said:
‘Reports today that some hip and knee operations are being restricted to patients need to be investigated, and are a matter of concern to the Royal College of Surgeons. Delaying patients access to hip and knee replacements and other orthopaedic operations can affect the surgical outcome, with evidence that patients are less mobile and suffer more pain if their operation is delayed or denied.
We believe that patients’ access to treatment should be driven by need based on clinical assessment, and must not be compromised by financial pressure.’