Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Pectus Deformity Treatment: NHS Funding

24 November 2020 · 1 other contributor · 4,225 words

Opened by Simon Clarke Con Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland

Responding minister: Edward Argar

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Simon Clarke raised concerns about pectus deformity treatment: nhs funding in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about NHS policy excluding surgery for pectus excavatum despite severe cases and lack of updated evidence.
  • Specific asks include urgent policy review and establishing a facility for surgeons to discuss evidence and perform operations for severe cases.
  • Minister acknowledges additional NHS investment but reiterates the need for responsible use of funds and lack of sufficient evidence for routine commissioning of surgery.

Key requests to Government

I ask the government to reconsider its wider policy on pectus deformity treatment urgently. While such a review is underway, I propose establishing a facility for surgeons to discuss evidence for severe cases and allow selected centres to perform operations, reporting findings in a registry to inform future policies.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Simon Clarke Con Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland

I am concerned about the lack of NHS-funded treatment for pectus excavatum, a condition that has severely impacted a young girl named Autumn Bradley in my constituency. The current NHS policy does not allow for surgery even in severe cases like Autumn's, despite it being widely available and effective elsewhere in the UK and internationally. This decision is based on outdated literature reviews and excludes crucial evidence about the physical benefits of surgery. Autumn's surgeon, Mr Dunning, estimates that approximately 50 patients a year in England suffer from life-limiting symptoms due to this policy.

Other contributors (1)
  • Christian Wakeford Lab Bury South

    Christian Wakeford highlighted a case of a 17-year-old girl with pectus excavatum, who had severe breathing difficulties and poor chest capacity. The girl was fortunate to receive surgery through Dr Joel Dunning's intervention but should not have faced such financial burden for necessary treatment. Wakeford stressed the importance of commissioning reports considering life-changing surgeries for a small cohort of patients.

Government Response

Edward Argar

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms McVey. I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss funding for pectus deformity treatment. The Government supports the NHS with £33.9 billion in additional investment by 2023-24. While treatment is free at the point of need, clinical commissioning groups must use their funds responsibly. Surgery for severe physical complications from pectus excavatum was reviewed and found insufficient evidence to routinely commission. However, patients can access it through individual funding requests (IFR) if deemed clinically necessary. The minister acknowledged the case of Autumn, a constituent of the Member for Bury South, expressing sympathy and admiration for her courage in speaking out. He promised to convey the request for a review with additional evidence consideration but could not commit to a specific NHS response due to its independence. The minister offered to meet the MP again if helpful and highlighted ongoing work to build the evidence base for future commissioning decisions.

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