Agenda item

6.1

Dr Margaret Ainger, Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Board, introduced a report from Tim Furness, Chief of Business, Planning and Partnerships, NHS Sheffield CCG, indicating that Sheffield CCG was proposing to cease funding for non-clinical male circumcisions.  This would bring Sheffield into line with the national position, as most parts of the country do not commission these circumcisions, which are not clinically required and therefore not an NHS responsibility.  The report set out details of the proposal, discussions with the Sheffield’s Children’s Hospital and plans for engagement and sought the views of the Scrutiny Committee.

6.2

Dr Ainger and Mr Furness responded to questions from members of the Committee and the representative of LINk and indicated that:

·         There were about 200 circumcisions in Sheffield each year.

·         Not all babies in Sheffield were accessing the NHS service and the cost for a private procedure was thought to be £90 to £150. The cost in the NHS was around £350 per patient.

·         There was limited guidance currently available to parents but the CCG intended to provide a leaflet that would set the basics standards of care and what to expect from a provider. The leaflet could be included in the NHS Personal Child Health record ‘red book’ and also available on the Children’s Hospital website.

·         Although a person did not need to be medically qualified to carry out a circumcision, parents were recommended to approach a qualified health professional.

·         There had been few studies of the outcomes for patients where the procedure was undertaken privately, in relation to any subsequent ill-health resulting from the procedure. Complication rates were very low but parents would be advised that if there were any problems after a procedure they should take their child to Accident and Emergency.

·         The practice at the Children’s Hospital was for the procedure to be carried out under a general anaesthetic, which carries risks for patients.  Members of the Committee felt it would be preferable to avoid the need for general anaesthetic.

·         Affordability did not appear to be a key issue for parents going privately.

6.3

Resolved: That the Committee:-

(a)

recognises the need for the Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group to make financial savings in 2013/14 and supports the proposal from the CCG to cease to commission circumcisions for non-clinical reasons;

(b)

notes that CCG will be producing an advice leaflet for parents; and

(c)

requests the Scrutiny Policy Officer to write to the Secretary of State for Health with this Committee’s concerns regarding the lack of a national framework and regulation for male circumcisions.