NHS England are responsible for commissioning hospital and community healthcare services for Armed Forces personnel and their families registered with Defence Medical Services (DMS) GP practices in England.

Funding for these patients should not be sought through local integrated care boards (ICBs) or CSUs. Applications should be made to the NHS England Armed Forces Health Team through the Blueteq portal.

Application process

Prior Approval funding applications should be made through the Blueteq portal: Blueteq (blueteq-secure.co.uk)

To register for a Blueteq account please follow this link: Blueteq Registration

All prior approval applications for the Armed Force community made under the below policies are screened to ensure that patients do not suffer disadvantage in terms of access to treatment relative to other NHS patients in the area in which they live.

The policies

Policies applicable to Armed Forces personnel and their families registered with Defence Medical Services (DMS) GP practices in England fall into one of three categories:

• A: Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AOMRC) Evidence Based Interventions programme
• B: NHS England and NHS Improvement Armed Forces Health national clinical commissioning criteria
• C: For treatments not listed in part A and B above and high-cost drugs

A: Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AOMRC) Evidence Based Interventions programme

Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AOMRC) Evidence Based Interventions programme provides guidance aimed at improving the quality of health care by reducing the number of inappropriate interventions. Follow the link for interventions guidance: AOMRC Evidence Base Interventions website

• Breast reduction
• Removal of benign skin lesions
• Grommets for glue ear in children
• Tonsillectomy for recurrent tonsillitis
• Haemorrhoid surgery
• Hysterectomy for heavy menstrual bleeding
• Chalazia removal
• Arthroscopic shoulder decompression for subacromial shoulder pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome release
• Dupuytren’s contracture release
• Ganglion excision
• Trigger finger release
• Varicose vein interventions

B: NHS England Armed Forces Health national clinical commissioning criteria

• N-SC004 Breast Implant removal and reinsertion
• N-SC004 Breast Implant removal and reinsertion application form
• N-SC023 Labiaplasty, Vaginoplasty and Hymenorrhaphy
• N-SC023 Labiaplasty, Vaginoplasty and Hymenorrhaphy application form
• N-SC024 Laser surgery for short sight
• N-SC024 Laser surgery for short sight application form
• N-SC025 Mirena Coils in secondary care
• N-SC025 Mirena Coils in secondary care application form
• N-SC027 Pinnaplasty/Otoplasty
• N-SC027 Pinnaplasty/Otoplasty application form
• N-SC032 Tattoo Removal
• N-SC032 Tattoo Removal application form

Assisted conception

NHS England is responsible for commissioning assisted conception treatments for serving armed forces personnel where registered with a DMS practice in England and their partners whether registered with a DMS or civilian practice. This policy aims to ensure that armed forces couples receive treatment in line with NICE clinical guidance and have the same access to NHS treatment wherever they live or receive their services in England.

• N-SC037 Assisted Conception
• N-SC037 Assisted Conception application form

All prior approval applications for the Armed Forces community made under the above policies are screened to ensure that patients do not suffer disadvantage in terms of access to treatment and relative to other citizens in the area in which they live.

Vasectomy

This policy aims to ensure that male Armed Forces patients are able to access NHS vasectomy services wherever they live or receive their services in England. Prior approval should be sought for any vasectomy procedures that require a general anaesthetic.

• Interim Clinical Commissioning Policy – Vasectomy

Criteria based access

The following conditions do not require prior approval and the patient’s clinician can proceed with treatment if the criteria in the relevant policy are met:

• N-SC001 Abdominal Wall Hernia Management and Repair in Adults
• N-SC007 Bunion Surgery
• N-SC008 Caesarean Section
• N-SC010 Circumcision
• N-SC011 Cosmetic surgery/treatment
• N-SC013 Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Asymptomatic Gall Stones
• N-SC015 Grommets (Children and Adults)
• N-SC017 Hair Removal (including Electrolysis and Laser Therapy)
• N-SC018 Hip impingement syndrome
• N-SC019 Hip resurfacing
• N-SC021 Knee Replacement surgery
• N-SC022 Knee washout and debridement
• N-SC026 Orthognathic Surgery
• N-SC028 Reversal of Vasectomy or Female Sterilisation
• N-SC031 Spinal surgery
• N-SC036 Removal of Third Molar teeth (Wisdom Teeth)

C: For treatments not listed in part A and B above and high-cost drugs

For information on the application process for procedures which require funding prior approval by the NHS locally please contact our team.

Procedures where there is no EBI guidance or Armed Forces commissioning policy

For procedures where there is no EBI guidance nor Armed Forces Health commissioning policy the local ICB policy will be referred to, an application for funding being required where the ICB would require it.

Where there no local ICB policy, NHS England Armed Forces Health team will consult the local ICB to determine their approach, an application for funding being required where the ICB would require it. The local ICB in both instances is the location of the DMS practice.