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, NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB and NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) operate as a single organisation. During the transition period, the existing IFR processes for Surrey and Sussex will remain in place. A single Surrey and Sussex IFR framework will be introduced in due course, and this page will be updated once 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 for either Surrey or Sussex.
Recent boundary changes
Individual Funding Request (IFR) applications for patients registered with a GP practice in Surrey Heath, Ash, or Farnham will now be considered through the established Surrey IFR governance process.
Applications will only be accepted via Blueteq. Clinicians may submit an IFR where a patient’s clinical circumstances are considered exceptional and the requested treatment is not routinely commissioned.
Individual Funding Requests – Surrey
For patients registered with a Surrey GP practice, including those in Surrey Heath, Ash, and Farnham.
An Individual Funding Request (IFR) 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 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.
[ARCHIVED CONTENT] Policies and Processes - ICS - Surrey Heartlands
- CLIN01 Surrey Heartlands ICB IFR Policy
Individual Funding Requests – 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.
[ARCHIVED CONTENT] Policies and procedures for NHS Sussex
- SX028 Sussex ICB IFR Policy