Latest news with #medicalprocedures
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Private ops for common conditions are rocketing due to NHS restrictions, new figures reveal
PRIVATE medical procedures for common conditions are rocketing as the NHS restricts access or stops funding them altogether, new figures reveal. Operations such as cataract surgery went up by 39 per cent, hernia repair by 110 per cent and tonsillectomies by 105 per cent - with procedures like these deemed 'of limited value' by the NHS. 1 Analysis of the latest data from the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) also revealed private admissions in England for breast reductions have increased by 61 per cent, and circumcision by 118 per cent. While carpal tunnel syndrome treatment (64 per cent), and adenoid removals (145 per cent) are all on the increase, according to statistics. The numbers have risen since the introduction of a list of procedures aimed at guiding NHS commissioners away from funding these treatments. The Evidence-based Intervention (EBI) list was created to reduce the number of medical or surgical interventions which could be inappropriate for some patients in some circumstances- and to save the NHS money. Jim Easton of Practice Plus Group hospitals, which performed the analysis, said: "It is correct that there are proper eligibility criteria to ensure that only those people who will benefit from surgery are offered it. "In the last six years, however, through a combination of the COVID backlog, increasing financial pressures on the NHS, and the growing list of procedures they actively try to restrict, we have seen a marked increase in people in debilitating pain or discomfort who are perfect candidates for surgery but can't get the referral. "The NHS needs to take care to ensure the EBI programme is not drifting from one intended to benefit patients and reduce unnecessary interventions to one that is more intent on cost-cutting. "More and more patients are voting with their feet and continuing to seek out these surgeries even if they have to pay for them. "The EBI list has also created a postcode lottery, for example, where in one area it has adopted the list in its entirety and someone would find it almost impossible to get the treatment they need, in another, the NHS commissioners have recognised their population needs and adapted the list. "The knock-on effect in not offering these treatments is the gradual disappearance of specialists with enough experience in delivering them, or enough younger doctors trained to perform them." Graeme Wakerley, 71, a retired haematologist who worked for many years in the NHS, was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia in 2023 but was unable to access surgery via them, so he chose to pay for Wellsoon private healthcare from Practice Plus Group. He said: "A scan showed that the hernia wasn't strangulated which meant it wasn't considered dangerous and I would not be able to get surgery to fix it. "The GP explained that unless it's strangulated, you're in severe pain or mental anguish, there was no point in applying for funding as I wouldn't get surgery. "Even when you do get on the list meaning it's serious and you're in severe pain, there would be a two-year wait for hernia surgery." "So, I had no choice but to pay. I have heard of many other people in similar situations. GPs are having to advise people to go private for surgery because there are so many restrictions on funding." THE NHS waiting list in England has become a political flashpoint as it has ballooned in recent years, more than doubling in a decade. The statistics for England count the number of procedures, such as operations and non-surgical treatments, that are due to patients. The procedures are known as elective treatment because they are planned and not emergencies. Many are routine ops such as for hip or knee replacements, cataracts or kidney stones, but the numbers also include some cancer treatments. This is how the wait list has changed over time: August 2007: 4.19million – The first entry in current records. December 2009: 2.32million – The smallest waiting list on modern record. April 2013: 2.75million – The Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition restructures the NHS. Current chancellor Jeremy Hunt was Health Secretary. April 2016: 3.79million – Junior doctors go on strike for the first time in 40 years. Theresa May is elected Prime Minister. February 2020: 4.57million – The final month before the UK's first Covid lockdown in March 2020. July 2021: 5.61million – The end of all legal Covid restrictions in the UK. January 2023: 7.21million – New Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledges to reduce waiting lists within a year, effectively April 2024. September 2023: 7.77million – The highest figure on record comes during a year hit with strikes by junior doctors, consultants, nurses and ambulance workers. February 2024: 7.54million – Ministers admit the pledge to cut the backlog has failed. August 2024: 7.64million – List continues to rise under Keir Starmer's new Labour Government. September 2024: 7.57million – A one per cent decline is the first fall since February and a glimmer of hope. December 2024: 7.46million – The list has fallen for four consecutive months. January 2025: 7.43m – still falling but slowly, likely due to added strain on emergency services and more cancellations due to illness over winter.
Health Line
22-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
What to Know About a Combined Colonoscopy and Endoscopy
A combined colonoscopy and endoscopy lets a doctor examine your upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, all in one procedure. Doctors use a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy to help diagnose the cause of gastrointestinal symptoms that you might be experiencing, such as abdominal pain, persistent heartburn, or unusual bowel movements. Colonoscopies and endoscopies are typically safe procedures with a minimal risk of complications. Keep reading to learn when a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy might be used and what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. What is the goal of a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy? Doctors use a combined endoscopy and colonoscopy to examine the lining of your esophagus, stomach, upper small intestine, and large bowel. The procedure helps doctors investigate the cause of specific symptoms you may be experiencing. For example, an endoscopy can help determine the cause of: bleeding pain persistent heartburn nausea and vomiting difficulty swallowing unexplained weight loss A colonoscopy can help your doctor determine the cause of: abdominal pain or discomfort diarrhea changes in your bowel activity anal bleeding unexpected weight loss During a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy, doctors can identify many underlying conditions, including: internal inflammation or swelling blockages or structures that are obstructing your gastrointestinal tract celiac disease ulcers gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) cancer What's the procedure like for a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy? Before the procedure Your healthcare team will typically give you a printed handout with the steps you must follow before your procedure. This may include information about stopping specific medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or constipating agents, about a week before the combined procedure. The day before you undergo a combined endoscopy and colonoscopy, you may need to take an oral laxative (called a ' bowel prep ') to clear your bowels. This makes it easier for the doctors to see the lining of your intestines. In addition, you may not be allowed to eat or drink anything for 8 hours before the procedure. During the procedure After you arrive at the clinic or hospital, a member of the healthcare team will ask you to fill out an assessment form. Your doctor or a nurse will review your assessment form with you, and they may take your blood pressure and pulse. They may also ask you to change into a clinic-provided gown and shorts. You'll then meet the endoscopist before the procedure starts. You'll have the opportunity to discuss what will happen during the colonoscopy and endoscopy. You can also ask them any questions you may have. During the procedure, you'll be given a light sedative through a needle in your arm so you won't feel any discomfort. Your healthcare team will stay with you throughout the entire process. They will monitor your pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen levels to ensure your safety. During the endoscopy During the endoscopy, the doctor will pass an endoscope down your throat, through your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The endoscope has a tiny camera mounted on its structure, which allows your doctor to view the inside of your gastrointestinal tract. The endoscope can also blow air into your GI tract, making the area easier to assess. During the exam, your doctor may also collect a tissue sample for testing (biopsy), stop any bleeding that they find, or complete other procedures, such as removing an obstruction. During the colonoscopy After completing the endoscopy, your doctor will insert a colonoscope through your anus and rectum to check your large intestine. The colonoscope will blow air into your intestine, making it easier to see. Some types of colonoscopy use a stream of water instead of blowing air into the intestine, which may be a more comfortable option for a person undergoing the procedure. Once the coloscope reaches the opening of your small intestine, the doctor will start examining the large intestine again while retracting the coloscope. As with the endoscopy, your doctor has the option to remove polyps or other tissues that they may want to biopsy. After the procedure If you're having your procedure done at an outpatient clinic, it may take a couple of hours after the procedure before you can go home. This time allows the anesthesia to wear off. You may not be able to drive for 24 hours, so it's a good idea to arrange for someone to drive you to and from the clinic. The entire procedure can last 5 to 90 minutes. An endoscopy usually lasts 15 to 30 minutes, while a colonoscopy may last 0 to 60 minutes. What's the recovery like for a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy? After a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy, you may experience symptoms including: a light blood discharge from your rectum if the doctor removed polyps during the examination abdominal pain caused by the air pumped in during the procedure nausea for a couple of hours after the end of the exam sore throat for a couple of days after the test After the combined colonoscopy and endoscopy, your doctor may give you the result of your test. However, a biopsy result may take a few days to get. What are the potential risks or side effects of a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy? The potential risks and side effects of a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy are rare but can include: abdominal pain bleeding perforation reaction to sedatives causing heart or breathing problems You should seek medical care if you experience any of the following symptoms after you have attended a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy: bloody vomit throat pain or difficulty swallowing bloody diarrhea or bowel movements blood discharge from your rectum that does not get better severe abdominal pain that gets worse chest pain dizziness or weakness How much does a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy cost? The average cost for a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy in the United States varies by state, city, and clinic. According to MDsave, costs range from $2,346 to $10,221, depending on where you have the procedure done. Generally, it's less expensive to undergo a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy on the same day during the same procedure rather than booking two different sessions. In most cases, a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy would be covered by medical insurance policies when recommended by a doctor. Contact your insurance company if you're unsure. Takeaway A combined colonoscopy and endoscopy can help doctors diagnose the cause of symptoms you might be experiencing, such as abdominal pain, persistent heartburn, or atypical bowel movements. The procedure allows doctors to examine the interior of your gastrointestinal tract. The risks of a combined colonoscopy are rare but can include perforation or internal bleeding. However, your healthcare team will constantly monitor you during the procedure to ensure your safety and to make you as comfortable as possible.
Associated Press
08-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
KBRA Assigns Preliminary Ratings to Cherry Securitization Trust 2025-1
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2025-- KBRA assigns preliminary ratings to four classes of notes issued by Cherry Securitization Trust 2025-1 ('CHRY 2025-1"), a consumer loan retail installment contract ABS transaction. The preliminary ratings reflect initial credit enhancement levels ranging from 23.37% for the Class A notes to 3.62% for the Class D notes. Credit enhancement on the notes is comprised of overcollateralization, subordination of junior note classes (except for the Class D notes), a cash reserve account funded at closing, and excess spread. This transaction represents Cherry's second overall 144A ABS securitization, and the first of 2025. CHRY 2025-1 will issue four classes of notes totaling $300.0 million, which are collateralized by approximately $324.9 million of Receivables used for elective medical procedures. The transaction features a 24-month revolving period (the 'Revolving Period'), which will end on the earlier of (i) prior to the close of business on April 30, 2027, and (ii) the date on which an Amortization Event has occurred. During the Revolving Period, the Seller will transfer additional Receivables to the Issuer, who will purchase such additional Receivables so long as (a) the Issuer and the Receivables satisfy all conditions set forth in the transaction documents and (b) an Amortization Event has not occurred. The transaction features an Optional Redemption, whereby the Certificateholders holding 100% of the Certificates have the right to redeem the Notes, in whole but not in part, on any Monthly Payment Date on and after the Monthly Payment Date in May 2027. Founded in 2017 as Mason Finance, and rebranded to Cherry Technologies, Inc. ('Cherry' or the 'Company') in 2019, Cherry operates a digital platform (the 'Cherry Platform') that facilitates point-of-sale unsecured consumer loans and retail installment sale contracts to finance elective medical services to primarily prime borrowers through a network of over 39,000 unique merchants. Since inception, the Company has funded approximately $2.0 billion across 990,000 transactions. Cherry currently offers financing in all 50 states and the District of Columbia through its banking partners via the Cherry Platform. KBRA applied its Consumer Loan ABS Global Rating Methodology, as well as its Global Structured Finance Counterparty Methodology and ESG Global Rating Methodology, as part of its analysis of the transaction's underlying collateral pool, the proposed capital structure, and Cherry's historical static pool data. KBRA considered its operational review of the Company. Operative agreements and legal opinions will be reviewed prior to closing. To access ratings and relevant documents, click here. Click here to view the report. Methodologies Disclosures Further information on key credit considerations, sensitivity analyses that consider what factors can affect these credit ratings and how they could lead to an upgrade or a downgrade, and ESG factors (where they are a key driver behind the change to the credit rating or rating outlook) can be found in the full rating report referenced above. A description of all substantially material sources that were used to prepare the credit rating and information on the methodology(ies) (inclusive of any material models and sensitivity analyses of the relevant key rating assumptions, as applicable) used in determining the credit rating is available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) located here. Information on the meaning of each rating category can be located here. Further disclosures relating to this rating action are available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) referenced above. Additional information regarding KBRA policies, methodologies, rating scales and disclosures are available at About KBRA Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA), one of the major credit rating agencies (CRA), is a full-service CRA registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority. In addition, KBRA is designated as a Designated Rating Organization (DRO) by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized as a Qualified Rating Agency by Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission and is recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider (CRP) in the U.S. Doc ID: 1009312 View source version on CONTACT: Analytical ContactsMaxim Berger, Senior Director (Lead Analyst) +1 646-731-1260 [email protected] Bowers, Associate +1 646-731-2418 [email protected] Zhou, Managing Director (Rating Committee Chair) +1 646-731-2412 [email protected] Development ContactArielle Smelkinson, Senior Director +1 646-731-2369 [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INSURANCE FINANCE SOURCE: Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/08/2025 12:21 PM/DISC: 05/08/2025 12:21 PM
