The Individual Patient Funding Request (IPFR) process is a method to request a treatment in Wales that is not routinely funded. If a patient and their clinician agree that a medicine that isn’t routinely available would benefit the patient, their clinician can submit an IPFR asking the health board, or the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSSC), to fund the medicine. Each health board and WHSSC have an IPFR panel and it is this group that make the decision as to whether that treatment can be funded. The clinician will complete an application form on behalf of the patient and this is considered by the panel and used as evidence as to why the patient would gain significant clinical benefit from the treatment and why it is considered to be value for money.
Every year we run a workshop for around 70 IPFR panel members and clinicians involved in the IPFR process in Wales to provide updates and training. Our last workshop in February 2023 involved an interview with a clinician who has submitted IPFRs in the past. He provided very useful insight into his experiences of IPFR and we are keen to repeat this with a patient who has had an IPFR submitted on their behalf. This will take the form of an online interview which will be recorded and played back at the next workshop in 2024. The whole interview will take no more than one hour and the interview questions will be provided in advance. The final recording will be sent to the interviewee before it is presented at the workshop for sign off. There will also be an opportunity for the interviewee to attend the workshop if they would like to come along and see what we do.
We are always looking at ways to improve the patient experience of IPFR. We hope that having an opportunity to provide your views to those making the decisions and to those representing you (your clinicians) will be one not to miss.
If you would like to take part or have any questions about taking part, please email awttc@wales.nhs.uk (add patient IPFR interview into the subject heading) or call 029 2182 6900.
Please also visit our website to see examples of past presentations for the workshop and to view the clinician interview that we would like recreate from a patient’s viewpoint.