Commissioning policies contain information about treatments, and who can have those treatments paid for by the NHS. Decisions around commissioning policies are made by the ICB Transformation Committee.
Before the introduction of the Integrated Care Board (ICB) in 2022, the five former clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in the area had their own local commissioning policies. This created differences in access to treatments for people and communities across West Yorkshire. Now that the ICB is responsible for commissioning, it must have policies that are the same. We are reviewing our commissioning policies to make sure everyone gets the same access to treatments, wherever they live in West Yorkshire. This review process will also make sure our policies are in line with the latest expert advice.
There are some commissioning policies that still need to be reviewed. Until these reviews have taken place, the policies of the former CCGs are still valid for each of the five places in West Yorkshire: Bradford District and Craven, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield District. Commissioning policies are listed in alphabetical order below. Those still to be reviewed have their place name in the title. All other policies listed have been reviewed and aligned, and are single West Yorkshire policies.
Commissioning policies A to Z
Carpal tunnel syndrome release (04.2019)
Cataract surgery in adults (01.2020)
Chalazia (eyelid cyst) removal (04.2019)
Circumcision (12.2021)
Complementary therapies (Leeds)
Complementary therapies (Wakefield District)
Constipation - sacral nerve stimulation (05.2022)
Continuous glucose monitoring (04.2023)
Cryopreservation for fertility treatment (12.2021)
Haemorrhoid (piles) surgery (04.2019)
Hair removal (Wakefield District)
Hair replacement and wigs (Leeds)
Hair replacement (Wakefield District)
Headache - specialist services (09.2022)
Hernia repair (Wakefield District)
Hip arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) (01.2020)
Hip replacement (for hip arthritis) (12.2019)
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine retinopathy monitoring (06.2023)
Hysterectomy for heavy menstrual bleeding (04.2019)
Labial reduction and cosmetic vaginal procedures (12.2021)
Laser treatments not covered elsewhere (05.2022)
Levetiracetam for the treatment of epilepsy (01.2024)
Lidocaine 5% medicated plasters for 0-18 years (12.2021)
Liothyronine for underactive thyroid (04.2019)
Liposuction (11.2023)
Lycra garments (12.2022)
Individual Funding Requests
An Individual Funding Request (IFR) is an application to ask the NHS to pay for a treatment that is not routinely commissioned.
In exceptional circumstances, a GP or other healthcare professional may believe a patient would benefit from one of these treatments. In such cases, the healthcare professional can ask the NHS to pay for that treatment by completing an IFR form on behalf of the patient.
This information explains how patients’ personal and health information is used to consider and process IFRs accurately and fairly.
IFRs are considered by an independent panel made up of doctors, nurses, public health experts, pharmacists, NHS England representatives and lay members.
The Integrated Care Board is developing a single IFR form for use across West Yorkshire. Until this is available, the IFR forms for each of our local places (formerly clinical commissioning groups) are still valid.
IFR forms should be completed by the GP or other healthcare professional with the most knowledge of the treatment being requested, and the most knowledge of the patient it is being requested for.
The IFR forms for each place can be downloaded below: