Almost £22m spent on restricted procedures such as tummy tucks

An Audit Office report has revealed that nearly £22 million has been spent on restricted procedures, such as tummy tucks, in the UK. The report states that over 12,000 operations were performed without assurance that they complied with the existing policy. The report highlights concerns about the lack of oversight and clear guidelines for these types of procedures, which are often considered cosmetic in nature. It suggests that the NHS may have been funding treatments that were not clinically necessary, potentially diverting resources from more critical healthcare needs. The findings raise questions about the decision-making process and the need for tighter controls to ensure that NHS funds are being used effectively and in line with established policies. The report calls for improved monitoring and reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in the provision of these types of procedures.