On an individual basis, there may be situations where a patient requires surgery that is not routinely funded on the NHS, however their clinician believes that their clinical situation is so different to other patients with the same condition that they should have their treatment paid for when other patients would not.
In such cases, NHS clinicians can request to fund a treatment which would not usually be provided for that patient. This request is called an Individual Funding Request (IFR). IFRs can only be submitted by the clinician that will be carrying out the treatment. Please note, the IFR process does not cover any treatments for Mental Health.
Individual Funding Requests – NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB
An Individual Funding Request (IFR) is a request made by a clinician for NHS funding for a treatment that is not routinely commissioned.
From 1 April 2026, Surrey and Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) will operate as a single organisation. During the transition period, the existing IFR processes for Frimley, Surrey Heartlands and Sussex will remain in place. A single Surrey and Sussex IFR framework will be introduced in due course. This page will be updated when changes are agreed.
To ensure the correct process is followed, clinicians should refer to the IFR guidance linked to the patient’s registered GP practice.
Select the relevant area below to view the current IFR process.
Recent boundary changes
For patients registered with a GP practice in Surrey Heath, Ash and Farnham.
Individual Funding Requests for patients registered with these GP practices are considered through the current Frimley IFR process, supported by the South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW CSU).
Clinicians may submit an IFR where a patient’s circumstances are considered clinically exceptional and the requested treatment is not routinely commissioned.
Applications are reviewed through the established IFR governance process supported by SCW CSU.
Frimley ICB IFR Policy and application form
Surrey Heartlands
For patients registered with a Surrey GP practice, except for GP practices in Surrey Heath, Ash and Farnham.
An Individual Funding Request may be submitted where a clinician believes a patient may benefit from a treatment that is not routinely commissioned, and the patient’s clinical circumstances are considered exceptional.
Requests must be submitted by the clinician responsible for the patient’s care and must include supporting clinical information.
Applications are reviewed by the Surrey Heartlands IFR Panel, which considers the clinical evidence and determines whether funding should be approved.
The panel assesses:
- whether the patient’s circumstances are clinically exceptional
- the available clinical evidence for the proposed treatment
- alignment with commissioning policies
- fairness and consistency with previous decisions.
CLIN01 Surrey Heartlands ICB IFR Policy
Sussex
For patients registered with a Sussex GP practice.
An Individual Funding Request allows clinicians to request funding for treatments that are not routinely commissioned.
Requests may be considered where a patient’s clinical circumstances are exceptional and significantly different from those of other patients with the same condition.
Applications are reviewed through the NHS Sussex IFR process and considered by the IFR Panel.
The panel considers:
- clinical exceptionality
- evidence of clinical benefit
- consistency with commissioning policy
- fairness and equity in decision-making.