Every three to five years, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB review its clinical policies to ensure they reflect the latest evidence-based guidance and best practice. We are currently reviewing the following policies and would welcome your views on the proposed changes.
Please share your feedback by completing the short questionnaire.
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to change the shape of the nose for cosmetic or functional reasons.
The policy is to be amended following advice from specialist clinicians who agreed that rhinoplasty may be needed for some septal deformities. The change includes the addition of criteria from recent guidance and one exclusion.
The proposed wording is as follows:
1. Rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty are not commissioned for cosmetic purposes.
2. Rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty are commissioned when there is:
a. Persistent obstruction of the nasal airway AND
b. Septal OR external deformity AND
c. A NOSE score of 30 or higher AND
d. A trial of conservative therapy has failed or is contraindicated AND
e. Septoplasty or turbinate surgery alone are unlikely to be effective.
3. The following are excluded and therefore not restricted by this policy:
a. Repair of complex congenital deformities, such as cleft lip and palate.
b. Investigation or treatment of tumours.
c. Septal perforation repair.
Please note this survey closes at midnight on Saturday 10 January 2026.