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<p>It is for the local clinical commissioning group (CCG) to decide what services
they commission for the people they are responsible for – this will mean making clinical
judgements about the effectiveness and value of treatments, and the best allocation
of resources. CCGs do this based on the healthcare needs of their local populations
and clinical evidence, to ensure they are providing the best possible, sustainable
care for their patients.</p><p> </p><p>Treatment decisions should always be made by
doctors based on a patient’s individual clinical needs and informed by the National
Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidelines.</p><p> </p><p>NICE clinical
guidelines make many recommendations spanning all stages of care from diagnosis to
treatment of a condition. They represent best practice and are based on available
evidence and developed through consultation. Health professionals and organisations
are expected to take the guidance fully into account when deciding treatments.</p><p>
</p><p>A fundamental principle of the National Health Service is that, for people
who are ‘ordinarily resident’ in the United Kingdom, treatment is free at the point
of need, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. Patient payments, other than
those limited forms permitted by Regulations (such as prescription charges, payments
for some clinical activity undertaken by dentists, and visitor and migrant charges)
are contrary to NHS policy.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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