ROUTINE operations could be put on hold across south Warwickshire to save money.
South Warwickshire Foundation Trust (SWFT) has been told it must reduce the number of surgeries such as knee and hip replacements.
South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which pays the trust to carry out orthopaedic operations, claim nearly £1million has been overspent on the contract so far this year and a reduction was needed to bring the spending back in line.
But SWFT say the operations carried out had been essential.
An SWFT spokeswoman told the Observer: “Due to clinical demand, the trust has exceeded its predictions to date. To keep in line with the forecasted activity the CCG has requested that the trust cut down on elective surgery.
“The trust has a responsibility under the NHS Constitution, to treat patients where possible within 18 weeks from their referral.
“We are currently liaising with the CCG about this, however we will only reduce activity if it is deemed to not compromise patient care.”
At the start of each financial year the CCG predict how many operations will be carried out and fund the hospital contract accordingly.
But CCG bosses believe the trust is carrying out more elective orthopaedic operations due to the use of a mobile theatre, which is based at Warwick Hospital alongside it main theatre.
The CCG has now issued the trust with a formal notice asking whether they need to keep the mobile theatre open.
A CCG spokeswoman said: “The CCG is committed to ensure that patients receive elective surgery within 18 weeks from their referral.
“This waiting time should be delivered in the most cost effective way for the NHS.
“The CCG has asked for confirmation that the additional mobile theatre is required to deliver the 18 week waiting time standard.”
