Unfortunately, not all medical treatments and surgical procedures are approved by the NHS. This may be because of cost implications or lack of evidence of effectiveness in proving positive outcomes for patients. Each geographical area of the UK, therefore, has a list of procedures that require local approval before the procedure can take place – this is called the prior approval schedule.
To be eligible for treatment for a condition that requires prior approval you will have to have been assessed by a specialist. Following this assessment, your GP will have to write to the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to apply for funding. If the CCG deems that your treatment is necessary, funding will be granted, and if not – the procedure can’t take place on the NHS.