The Evidence Based Interventions Programme is an initiative led by the Academy of Royal Colleges to improve the quality of care. It is a joint enterprise between national partners: The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC), NHS Clinical Commissioners (NHSCC), The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and NHS England and Improvement.
Created by doctors and patients it is designed to reduce the number of medical or surgical interventions as well as some other tests and treatment which the evidence tells us is inappropriate for some patients in some circumstances and can sometimes do more harm than good. As well as improving outcomes it also means that we can free up valuable resources so they can be put to better use elsewhere in the NHS.
Evidence Based Interventions List 1
This was launched in 2019 and 17 interventions were included falling into one of two categories:
Category 1 - four interventions that should not be routinely commissioned by ICBs or performed unless a successful Individual Funding Request is made either because they are ineffective or have been superseded by a less invasive or more effective alternative.Category 2 - thirteen interventions that should only be commissioned by ICBs or performed when specific clinical criteria are met - this is because they have only been shown to be effective in certain circumstances
These interventions are Breast Reduction, Removal of Benign Skin Lesions, Grommets for glue ear in children, Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy, Hemorrhoid surgery, Hysterectomy for heaving menstrual bleeding, Chalazia removal, Arthroscopic Shoulder Decompression for subacromial shoulder pain, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Dupuytren's Contracture release, Ganglion Cysts, Trigger Finger release, Varicose Veins InterventionsEvidence Based Interventions List 2
This was published in November 2019 and includes a further 31 interventions
Overarching Position Statement for Evidence Based Interventions 2
As Evidence Based Interventions 2 is part of the NHS Standard Contract, the ICB has produced an Overarching Position Statement which provides details of the system assurance for 30 out of the 31 interventions.
For more information please click on the following link: Overarching Position Statement for EBI2
Evidence Based Interventions List 3
EBI3 was published in May 2023 and includes a further 10 interventions. Unlike in previous phases which focused on reduced or stopping tests, treatments and procedures, List 3 takes a more holistic approach and proposes that some interventions should be increased. This is because even with the pressures the NHS is under, following the pandemic, it is right to take a long-term review of a patient's care needs.
If a relatively straightforward and low-cost medical intervention can be made now which will alleviate or reduce the need for other potential more expensive interventions further down the line, then we should take this opportunity.
Overarching Position Statement for Evidence Based Interventions 3
As Evidence Based Interventions 3 is part of the NHS Standard Contract, the ICB has produced an Overarching Position Statement which provides details of the system assurance for the 10 interventions.
For more information, please click on the following link: Overarching Position Statement for EBI3
Evidence Based Interventions List 4
EBI4 was published in January 2024 and includes a further 3 interventions.
Overarching Position Statement for Evidence Based Interventions 4
As Evidence Based Interventions 4 is part of the NHS Standard Contract, the ICB has produced an Overarching Position Statement which provides details of the system assurance for the 3 interventions.
For more information, please click on the following link: Overarching Position Statement for EBI4
Resources
Resources to help health professionals, patients and the public to understand the Evidence Based Intervention Programme can be found by following the link: http://www.aomrc.org.uk/ebi/