NHS ENGLAND has been accused of planning the “unjustified rationing” of medical procedures against existing clinical guidance.

Keep Our NHS Public (KONP) says NHS England’s proposals to withdraw 17 NHS clinical procedures contradict the advice of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the recognised authority advising clinicians on the current state of research evidence.

NHS England is currently consulting on proposals to withdraw procedures, including hysterectomy for heavy menstrual bleeding and the removal of benign skin lesions, unless complex criteria are met.