Draft recommended referral thresholds for a number of surgical procedures have been published for consultation today by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

The draft reports published today are on varicose vein surgery, tonsillectomy, grommet insertion and adenoidectomy, and cataract surgery. This is the first phase of a series of health technology assessments (HTAs) of scheduled surgical procedures being undertaken by HIQA at the request of the Health Service Executive (HSE).

These HTAs evaluate the potential impact of introducing clinical referral or treatment thresholds for such procedures within the publicly funded healthcare system.

HIQA’s Director of Health Technology Assessment, Dr Máirin Ryan said, “The purpose of these assessments is to ensure that the patients most in need of surgery receive the required treatment as quickly as possible. For scheduled surgical procedures, it is vital that the right patients are referred for treatment at the right time, potentially releasing capacity and resources without causing harm or reducing benefit.”

“The reports provide evidence-based advice on potential referral or treatment thresholds for procedures where effectiveness may be limited for some patients unless undertaken within strict clinical criteria and we are interested in receiving feedback on them.”

“The need and demand for healthcare services continues to increase and given Ireland’s changing demographics, demand is likely to grow in the foreseeable future. As a result, pressure on national waiting lists continues to grow despite increases in activity levels. Providing increased clarity around referral or treatment thresholds for general practitioners and patients should minimise, where possible, referral of patients who do not proceed to surgery.”

HIQA convened a multidisciplinary Expert Advisory Group to oversee the process of the rapid health technology assessments and to provide access to expert advice and information as required. The completed evaluation will be submitted to the HSE and to the Minister for Health.

The consultation on these draft recommended referral thresholds for certain scheduled surgeries will run until 13 March 2013. The reports, along with details on how to take part in the consultation, are available on www.hiqa.ie.

Further Information: 

Please contact: Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement 01 814 7480 / 086 2447 623 mwhelan@hiqa.ie