Breast reduction - why is it so difficult to get on the NHS?

[SwirlyGates]

I have no skin in the game here, as it were, but I know 2 women who, like those in the article, paid for private operations as their heavy breasts gave them back and shoulder pain. The table lists it under "Reported cosmetic surgery procedures carried out on women in the UK" - and it's conflated with "implant removal" (a different issue I'd have thought, and a choice to get implants in the first place).

I've made a post in this forum as I think it's a feminist issue.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3d2k4xz42no

The NHS pays for many things that aren't critical care, which is a pretty narrow thing really,

Contraception, eye tests, hay fever prescriptions, orthodontics, prescriptions for earache or eczema - none of these are critical care.

Whilst I am really sorry for your situation, I very much doubt that a few breast reduction surgeries would have changed whatever the situation is in your health authority can mean an "urgent" hip replacement did not happen.

Have you contacted your MP?

Its as likely to be the shortage of surgeons because too many of them are boosting their NHS salaries by working privately.

The whole structure of the NHS in terms of the admin is completely inappropriate to what is meant to be a responsive service.

Did the hospital every explain?