FOI 2025/1509

We are conducting research into NHS funding criteria for body contouring procedures following massive weight loss. I would be grateful if you could provide responses to the following under the Freedom of Information Act 2000:

For each of the questions below please provide any relevant policies and information regarding how long the policy has been in place and/or if a policy is being planned or considered or is potentially changing in the future:

1. Do you either routinely fund, or provide criteria-based access to funding for any form of body contouring surgery e.g., apronectomy, following massive weight loss?
2. If you do provide criteria-based access, please provide details of the criteria, or where these details where this information can be found.
3. If you provide either criteria-based access or routine funding, is this just for apronectomy, or is access provided to other body contouring procedures after massive weight loss e.g. brachioplasty.
4. If you provide criteria-based funding, is any form of prior approval required before listing the patient.
5. How long has the current policy been in place, and are there any planned or pending changes to this policy?

1. Please see NHS GM webpage for the list of treatments that are funded in relation to body contouring surgery. Greater Manchester Individual Funding Request (GM IFR) Service | Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership (gmintegratedcare.org.uk)
2. Please refer to the link provided in the response to question 1.
3. Please refer to the link provided in the response to question 1.
4. Please refer to the link provided in the response to question 1.
5. The current GM Body contouring commissioning statement (please refer to the link provided in the response to question 1) was implemented in July 2019. When clinical commissioning statements are due to be reviewed these are posted on NHS GM’s website along with a copy of the plain English version of the evidence review and any suggested changes for comment. Get involved | Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership