Work in Progress - Performance of Restricted Procedures by Health Trusts

The Department of Health’s Effective Use of Resources (EUR) policy aims to “make the best use of resources in plastic surgery and related specialties”. This policy sets out the limited criteria under which a small number of procedures would be commissioned. We are currently undertaking work in order to publish a short investigative report relating to this subject, titled the Performance of Restricted Procedures by Health Trusts. 

This report will review the procedures in place to monitor compliance with the EUR policy. The review has also sought to assess the extent to which the policy has been adhered to and resulted in the health service’s crucial resources being allocated appropriately and effectively by Northern Ireland’s five regional Trusts. In addition, we have obtained average costing information for the performance of each of the restricted procedures in the EUR policy. Using this information, our review has produced analysis on the estimated cost of procedures which have been carried out by Trusts in 2023-24. 

We aim to publish the finalised report in October 2025.