News / Bristol
More time for Bristolians to have their say on controversial NHS changes
Health bosses have extended a consultation into NHS changes that critics argue will have a negative and discriminatory impact on women.
People in Bristol now have until September 15 to have their say on cost-cutting proposals that include lowering the IVF eligibility age from 40 to 35 and imposing restrictions on breast cancer reconstructive surgery.
The extension comes after serious concerns were raised by Labour councillors, who accused NHS bosses of failing to sufficiently publicise the changes and not giving women chance to make their voices heard on issues that will disproportionately affect them.
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A spokeswoman for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire clinical commissioning group (CCG) said: “Due to very helpful feedback, we have taken the decision to extend the consultation until September 15 so that people who may be personally affected and special interest groups have more time to see the proposals.
“We encourage anyone to participate in our consultations including the proposals around fertility eligibility and breast reconstruction. We will be reviewing the responses to our consultations after they close.”
NHS bosses say they are fully committed to funding reconstructive surgery for women affected by breast cancer, but this will no longer stretch to surgery on the unaffected breast.
The CCG warns that health spending across the region has exceeded the £1.15 billion budget in recent years and the deficit is growing.
They say the proposed measures, which also include restrictions on non-health related cosmetic work and treatment for sleep apnoea, scrapping homeopathy and a clampdown on the NHS providing on medicines available over the counter, could lead to a saving of £66m.
The spokeswoman added: “We have to live within our means to make the best use of taxpayers’ money and ensure there are affordable, high quality health services for our population.
“We know how hard it can be for couples who are struggling to conceive and will continue to offer fertility treatment to hundreds of people every year. Clinical evidence shows that treatment between the ages of 30-35 offers the highest possible chance of success.”
For further information on the proposals and to give feedback, visit the Get Involved pages of the CCG website.
Read more: ‘NHS changes will have a discriminatory and negative impact on women’
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