During 2007, 62 Doncaster cases were referred to expert panels and of these, 41 were recommended for treatment – a rate of 66 per cent.

Though that places Doncaster near the top of the table for results across Yorkshire and Humberside, the town lags behind Barnsley and Sheffield, who have rates of 79 per cent and 68 per cent respectively. Rotherham has a rate of just 52 per cent.

All Primary Care Trusts in Yorkshire have set up expert panels to look at unusual, expensive or exceptional treatments, which are not covered by their existing contracts. They look at things such as new treatments, treatments for rare conditions and treatments which are not normally offered but which are considered useful by doctors in occasional cases.

Cosmetic procedures such as liposuction are rarely approved, however, tummy tucks – or abdominoplasty – are sometimes considered if they are thought to be of significant clinical benefit. Breast augmentation surgery is only usually approved after treatment for cancer. Across Yorkshire and Humberside most requests made to panels are for plastic surgery, particularly breast augmentation and abdominoplasty.

Doncaster Primary Care Trust spokesman Ian Carpenter, said: "Although in 2007 67 cases went to panel – around five a month – we receive between 120-130 requests for high cost or unusual treatments, and that number is increasing all the time.

"All panels are drawn up with different powers and terms of reference.

"We have developed a number of local and regional policies so our officers can quickly deal with the requests without having to go to a panel.

"Doncaster's approval rating of 66 per cent is good and the figures indicate that our GPs and consultants take responsibility for the care provided and only refer cases to panels in exceptional circumstances."

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