Thousands of children are being denied surgery that would prevent them from needlessly suffering from tonsillitis every year.
Strict NHS guidance has prevented many patients from undergoing the procedure, known medically as a tonsillectomy, since 2018 in a bid to save money.
As a result, seven-times fewer patients are undergoing the surgery now compared to the fifties, despite a landmark study last year finding that the op, which is most commonly offered to children, is both clinically and cost effective.