Rationing to hit treatments for dementia and arthritis

TREATMENT for dementia, arthritis and blindness could be subject to strict rationing, with “tough decisions and trade-offs” ahead, health chiefs have warned.

NHS England said “affordability assessments” should be made to decide what the health service could afford. Its board yesterday forecast that waiting times would rise as they try to protect funding for cancer services, doctors and mental health. Waiting time limits of 18 weeks would not be met next year, according to their forecasts.

But Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, insisted last night that the targets would be met, and promised “sensible” discussions about the way forward.

Under proposals from NHS England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) will be asked to publish “affordability and workforce assessments” so the NHS knows what it can pay for.

The body that recommends NHS treatments is also due to produce guidance on management of dementia, rheumatoid arthritis and macular degeneration, one cause of blindness.

The discussions come after the Chancellor awarded the NHS £2.8bn extra spread across three years – less than the £4bn sought by Simon Stevens, the NHS chief.

Health officials said an operating plan would be agreed in March, after discussions with the Government. Last night Mr Hunt said: “I would say that the Government is absolutely committed to NHS constitutional standards. That is why we found a significant increase for the NHS in the budget.”