Specialist services
NHS Specialised Services provide care for people with rare or complex health conditions that require highly specialised expertise, equipment, or facilities. These services include treatments for rare cancers, genetic disorders, complex surgeries, and advanced therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and organ transplants.
Because of their complexity, specialised services are not available in every hospital. Instead, they are delivered by expert teams in specialist centres to ensure the highest standards of care. In total, there are around 150 prescribed specialised services across England.
As part of NHS reforms, some responsibilities for commissioning these services have been delegated from NHS England to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), including NHS Surrey Heartlands. This shift enables more localised planning and delivery, ensuring services are better aligned with population needs and health inequalities are addressed.
Our local approach focuses on:
- Developing innovative care pathways in collaboration with clinical networks.
- Ensuring services are commissioned at the right scale for quality and sustainability.
- Involving patients and the public in decision-making.
- Supporting workforce capability and readiness for delegated commissioning
For more information, visit the NHS England Specialised Services page