Procedure of limited clinical effectiveness (PoLCE)

What is PoLCE?

A PoLCE procedure is where the clinical and/or cost-effectiveness of that procedure/ treatment/ intervention is either absent, or too weak for reasonable conclusions to be reached on efficacy and long term benefits/harms.

Five procedures that require prior approval are:

• Knee arthroscopy / washout
• Spinal surgery (discectomy) for lumbar prolapse
• Tonsillectomy  
• Varicose veins
• Spinal surgery fusion for back pain

Where to send prior approval forms?

We prefer to get referrals through onel.polce@nhs.net.  Referrals sent in other ways will take longer to process and review.

PoLCE contact details

Sareh Williams PoLCE administrator
1st floor
NHS outer north east London
Becketts House
Ilford Hill
Ilford
Essex
IG1 2QX

Email: onel.polce@nhs.net

Telephone number: 020 8926 5247

If a patient does not meet the clinical thresholds outlined within the PoLCE guidance, but there are reasons why this patient is more likely than the rest of the population to benefit clinically, then the individual funding request prior approval process can be followed.