By Lord Walton of Detchant - 5th April 2011
Lord Walton of Detchant outlines the "gloomy" prospects for the future of knee and hip replacements on the NHS.
Relief of pain and disability resulting from osteoarthritis in joints such as the knee and hip, resulting from surgical replacement of damaged joints by various types of prosthesis has been one of the great successes of medicine and of the UK National Health Service for more than 20 years.
New surgical techniques and new prostheses developed by industry have continued to improve the effectiveness of these operations and the longevity of the joints subjected to them; the prognosis of such procedures has continued steadily to improve.
Many surgeons and health service administrators have recently begun to express concern over the suggestion that reduction in NHS funding in the place of increasing demand has resulted in increasing waiting times for these procedures, which, under the previous government, were supposed to be no greater than 18 weeks.
Now that we are faced with the prospect of the NHS having to find £20 billion of so-called 'efficiency savings' in the course of the next three years, the Patients’ Association and members of the Medical Technology Group, a body which represents the manufacturers of the relevant prostheses have expressed increasing concern about the situation. A recent survey of 60 hospital trusts found that in 2010, 1227 fewer knee replacements and 531 fewer hip replacements were carried out when compared with 2009, and the prospects for the future look even more gloomy.
The Patients' Association has also produced evidence to suggest that waiting times are rising steadily. Accordingly, I have tabled a starred question for oral answer in the House of Lords on 5 April, inviting the government to say what if feels can be done to overcome this serious problem.
Lord Walton was raised to the peerage in 1989. He is a former consultant neurologist.
Article Comments
I have just paid 9,500.00 pounds for a knee replacement privately.
I was told waiting list to see consultant was 18 weeks & once seen another 4-5 MONTHS for operation.
This is a disgrace as I was almost unable to walk.
We treat any person who arrives in this country with no questions asked no payment required.
My whole career was spent working for the NHS ,the last 30 years as a nursing sister.
What does the Government intend to do about this situation?
I am sure the MPs would not be kept waiting or be forced to pay privately.
Mrs A Evans
23rd Apr 2011 at 2:17 pm
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