What can an individual patient do if they are being denied access to a treatment recommended by NICE?
In the first instance, a patient should discuss the recommended treatment with their treating clinician and discover a) whether they are aware of the NICE guidance or b) whether it is a financial decision not to fund the treament. If it is a clinical decision, then the patient should request to be transferred to the care of a clinician who is willing to provide the treatment. If the decision is a financial one, then a complaint should be made either to the Trust Chief Executive if this is a Trust funded treatment or to the PCT is they are the funding body. Patients can bring Judicial Reviews of PCT decisions and legal advice should be sought if this path is to be followed.
