Prioritisation of Elective Treatment

The treatment of NHS patients from Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is funded by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) as the local NHS funding body. As part of the ICB responsibilities, treatments must be delivered within the resources available while meeting the health needs of the local population.

The ICB uses independent sector (private) providers to offer patient choice and support the national targets of patients being treated within 18 weeks of referral and to have less than 1% of patients waiting over 52 weeks. For residents in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, these include Ramsay Rowley Hall/Beacon Park and Nuffield North Staffordshire.

Due to financial constraints within the NHS, we have agreed with Ramsay Rowley Hall/Beacon Park and Nuffield North Staffordshire to prioritise funding for the remainder of this financial year for those with the most urgent need or who have been waiting the longest. Unfortunately, this means that some planned operations for NHS patients will need to be postponed. We know that this will be disappointing for patients and it was not a decision taken lightly.

All patients affected are being contacted directly by the providers and patients will be rescheduled for treatment as soon as possible. It is likely that this may not be the case until after the commencement of the new financial year on 1st April 2026. Patients do not need to take any action at this time. The hospitals will contact affected patients directly to rebook appointments as soon as possible. However, if a patient feels that their condition has significantly worsened, they should make the hospital aware where they were due to have their appointment.