title: Commissioners defend policies on surgery referrals amid accusations of rationing.
authors.affiliation: The BMJ.
authors.forename: Zosia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kmietowicz
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D013502:General Surgery / Q000592:standards; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000601:surgery; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards*; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D006113:United Kingdom