"The last thing we want to see happen is a patient suffering unnecessarily as a result of what appears to be, in the example he cites, a dispute between NHS organisations about who should be paying for such care.
"In the interests of patients, NHS commissioners and providers need to resolve such issues quickly to make sure patients get access to the care they need.
"However, we must remember the reality is that every NHS organisation has a finite amount of money available. Every new treatment covered and funded under a NICE technology appraisal means fewer resources for other treatments.
"NHS organisations are faced with the difficult challenge of achieving the best outcomes and highest quality care for patients while balancing their budgets.
"The issue raised by Sir Michael Rawlins leads us on to the wider debate that we need to have about the fact that the NHS is facing an unprecedented financial challenge. All NHS organisations are facing budgetary pressures while striving to maintain high quality care.
"We need to be open and honest with the public about what the consequences of this financial challenge are, and the fact that trade-offs will be required if we are to improve standards of care while keeping the NHS affordable."
