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Britain’s health service to reduce ‘unnecessary’ treatments

People march in central London to mark the 70th anniversary of the forming of the National Health Service (NHS), Saturday June 30, 2018. Various unions and interested groups gathered Saturday to celebrate the forming of the NHS and call for better funding for the British health service. (John Stillwell / PA)
Associated Press
People march in central London to mark the 70th anniversary of the forming of the National Health Service (NHS), Saturday June 30, 2018. Various unions and interested groups gathered Saturday to celebrate the forming of the NHS and call for better funding for the British health service. (John Stillwell / PA)

LONDON – Britain’s National Health Service has proposed cutting back on operations including breast reductions and anti-snoring treatments as part of plans to save money and reduce “unnecessary or risky procedures.”

National medical director Stephen Powis said the health agency could save an estimated $264 million a year by tightening the criteria for treatments where the risks could outweigh the benefits.

The list of 17 treatments under consideration to be halted or reduced includes tonsil removals and procedures for carpal tunnel, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Authorities will discuss the proposals next week.

The announcement came as demonstrators marched Saturday in London to mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS and demand an end to funding cuts under the Conservative government.

Protesters carried placards and banners reading “Standing together for the NHS” and “NHS SOS” as they streamed toward Parliament.

Valerie Bossman-Quarshie said she wanted to give the NHS a “really good cheer” as she held a birthday card aloft to be signed by passing protesters.

“They’ve been there for me when I was sick and I just want to be there for them,” she said.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged the marchers to have the “absolute determination that we will go to the end of the earth and beyond to defend our National Health Service.”