DOCTORS in the region have condemned the setting up of a "referral management committee" as a way of rationing access to NHS treatment.

This claim has been rejected by NHS officials in North Yorkshire, who argue that the exercise is intended to inform patients that they now have a choice of hospitals.

Since January 1, all patient referrals to a hospital consultant by family doctors in the area covered Craven, Harrogate and Rural District Primary Care Trust have had to be vetted by a committee set up by local PCT bosses.

Nationally, the British Medical Association has criticised the move, saying the main object is to cut costs by delaying referrals.

The NHS is facing a potential overspend of £1bn.

Dr John Givans, secretary of North Yorkshire Local Medical Committee, said: "It's a cynical disregard of patients and a money-saving manoeuvre designed to save money at the end of the financial year."

Dr Givans, a former Harrogate GP, said a number of local GPs expressed concern when they were contacted by the PCT about the new referral management committee, in December.

According to Dr Givans, any letter sent direct to a hospital consultant is being intercepted by the PCT and redirected to the new committee.

A spokesman for the Craven PCT said the new committee "is primarily a way of ensuring we can offer patients a choice of hospital, as we are required to do under national guidelines. Routine referrals now come into a central point and a member of staff from the PCT contacts the patient and discusses with them where they wish to be seen within the 13-week referral target set by the Department of Health.

"We reject any suggestion we are trying to prolong waiting times or ration services."