Advice centre / Treating haemorrhoids

NHS haemorrhoid treatment

In 2019, the NHS resolved to reduce the routine commisssioning of surgical procedures. Haemorrhoid surgery was one of the seventeen procedures to be cut back on, in an attempt to save the NHS £200 million a year.

In the UK, nearly 5 million people suffer from symptoms caused by haemorrhoids every year.

This has caused growing concern amongst patients and the public, leading them to wonder why the access to treatment for haemorrhoids has been restricted and what other options are there for haemorrhoids sufferers?

When Were These Proposals Implemented?

In 2018, the NHS conducted a consultation to decide which treatments would be funded and which treatments would not be funded. Here is the Consultation Document. The consultation concluded that tonsillectomy, bone spurs, and breast reduction, as well as haemorrhoid surgery should be reduced in main theatres. These recommendations were implemented in April 2019, as part of the new NHS England's guidelines through the Clinical Care Groups (CCGS).

Why Are Haemorrhoid Procedures Going to Be Offered to Fewer Patients?

NHS England has maintained that, by tightening the criteria for these treatments, millions of pounds every year will be saved and that all patitents will receive the best treatment for their condition. These are difficult decisions for the NHS, given the need for efficiency in an increasingly difficult economic climate.

Speaking about the plans, National Medical Director of NHS England Professor, Stephen Powis said that surgery is sometimes better avoided than givenand often the “risks and harms outweigh the benefits.” He went on to say that “By reducing unnecessary or risky procedures for some patients we can get better outcomes while reducing waste and targeting resource to where it is most needed. ” (NHS England, 2018)

How Will This Affect Haemorrhoid Sufferers?

A Shift From Theatre to Clinic.

The guidance clearly stipulates that the evidence shows that clinic based treatments for grade 1, 2 and 3 haemorrhoid can be more effective than theatre based surgery and should be considered as a leading option for treatment.

The NHS currently carries out three types of surgical interventions for haemorrhoids; a haemorrhoidectomy, haemorrhoidal artery ligation and stapling (NHS UK). However, the NHS is now advocating for the non-surgical procedure alternatives that are available in clinic. Surgical procedures will only be carried out if certain clinical criteria are met.

According to The Association of Coloproctology, surgery will only be undertaken in cases of persistent grade 1 or grade 2 haemorrhoids that have not improved from non-surgical interventions such as dietary changes or banding. Similarly, surgery may be performed on grade 3 or 4 haemorrhoids or those with a ‘symptomatic external component’.

Impact on Patients

While these changes are more effcient and save a lot of money, there undoutably is an impact on the 8 million haemorrhoids sufferes. The symptoms of living with haemorrhoids can be detrimental to these individuals. The condition is often joked about. Living with it can be incredibly stressful. Sufferers can find it difficult to talk about the symptoms.

A typical example of this comes from Robert B from Yorkshire.

Speaking about his experience of haemorrhoids before his eXroid electrotherapy treatment he said he went through the “embarrassment of bleeding through [his] clothing” and “constant pain and itchiness”. These changes make it vital for patients living with haemorrhoids to understand how else they can manage the condition if they don’t currently meet the criteria for surgery.

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Our Advice

Dr Hudson-Peacock, the Medical Director at eXroid, advises patients to call and get our help and support. We are very much aware that both access to services and consistency of examination and diagnosis within primary care is very varied across the country. Patients are also given inconsistent advice about the NHS commissioning guidance, so we are here to help. There are numerous ways in which the progression of Haemorrhoid Disease (HD) can be self-managed, and we can provide support with these along with guidance on our treatment, which prevents and remedies progression of haemorrhoids at all stages.

Can I Get Haemorrhoid Electrotherapy on the NHS?

eXroid’s electrotherapy has been evaluated and recommended by NICE as an effective treatment for grade 1, 2 and 3 haemorrhoids. As a clinic-based, fully ambulatory (walk-in, walk-out) procedure, it is fully compliant with the NHS Commissioning Guidelines 2019.

eXroid is working with NICE and individual NHS CCG commissioning groups to make the treatment available in your area. Please see the ‘commissioned services’ section on your local CCG website for more information. We would encourage you to contact us for help and support, if your local CCG does not commission the eXroid electrotherapy treatment in your area.