An IPFR application should be made by the clinician who is responsible for the patient's care. Submissions may be made electronically by registering with the All Wales IPFR database or using the application form.
The application should be submitted to the relevant IPFR team depending upon where the patient lives. Contact the relevant IPFR team for more information.
You should discuss with your patient the reasons why you need to make an IPFR request and why you believe the proposed treatment is beneficial for their clinical condition.
Before you and your patient agree to submit an IPFR, please ensure that you have discussed the likely benefits and risks of the proposed treatment and any available alternative treatments, including no treatment. It is important that you make your patient aware that the panel may choose to decline to fund the treatment and what the options would be in this circumstance.
You also need to explain to the patient that the IPFR administration team will retain a copy of the application form as part of the administration process. This information will be used to help inform future planning requirements by identifying patient cohorts both at a local and national level. Data will also be used for the production of an annual report on IPFRs which is required by the Welsh Government. In doing so, the IPFR administration team will ensure that the patient identity remains confidential.
A patient may wish to opt out of having their information added to the database. It is your responsibility to inform the IPFR administrator if this is the case.
It is your responsibility to complete and submit the IPFR application form. This can be done in a variety of formats including post, fax, email or e-submission. Links to the electronic submission form and a downloadable form are given at the top of this page.
Non-clinical factors (such as employment status or caring responsibilities) will not be considered when making decisions on IPFR.
Patients are not permitted to attend panel meetings. They can however provide a written statement for consideration, however non-clinical factors will not be considered.
The IPFR panel will normally reach its decision on the basis of all the written evidence provided. They may however request your attendance to provide clarification on specific issues or request independent expert clinical advice if necessary. They may also wish to contact you via telephone so you should make yourself available where possible to avoid any potential delays in the decision making process.
The IPFR request will be screened for suitability within five working days of receipt. Where a request is deemed clinically urgent, these cases will be considered within 24-48 hours, however clinical justification is required. The consequences of requesting an urgent decision should be considered: these cases may not be heard by a full panel; the clinician may have little time to provide a robust case and there is minimal time for the appropriate body to provide an evidence review, where appropriate.
For non-urgent cases, most panel meetings take place at least once per month.
A letter communicating the decision and the rationale for that decision will be sent to you within five working days of the panel meeting. The patient will receive a letter explaining that a decision has been made and that you will contact them within five working days to discuss the outcome of the decision.
It is important that the patient understands the rationale for the decision made. If the decision is made to fund the treatment, appropriate consent for the treatment/procedure will be required after a full discussion with the healthcare professional responsible for prescribing or providing the treatment.
If the decision is to decline funding, alternative treatment options should be discussed including, if appropriate, best supportive care.
You can’t appeal the decision, however if you or your patient believe that the process has not been followed correctly you can submit a request for a review. Any requests for a review on how the decision was reached need to be submitted to the health board on the appropriate form within 25 working days from the date of the decision letter.
Yes. Irrespective of the decision there is an expectation that patient outcome data should be provided. An IPFR outcome questionnaire will be sent to you by the IPFR administration team to provide an update on the patient’s progress.