RCS denies supporting insurer’s knee surgery initiative

The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) has spoken out strongly about Bupa’s medical review process for knee arthroscopy. In reference to the insurer’s move to introduce a pre-authorisation process for knee arthroscopy, the RCS said in a protracted statement: The College does not support any third party review of a consultant’s decision to treat a patient. There are very clear clinical guidelines laid down by NICE and by individual specialty associations and there is no need for a decision to be reviewed by another consultant or anyone else, unless it is at the request of the patient or the consultant’.