Tonsils removal, breast reductions and snoring surgery will be offered to far fewer patients from next year, under plans being drawn up by NHS England.

Officials are to discuss proposals to stop or reduce 17 routine procedures deemed to be "ineffective or risky".

The treatment will be offered only if it is judged to be of "compelling" benefit and there are no alternatives.

NHS England said the move would affect about 100,000 people every year and free up an estimated £200m.

It follows reviews last year to save £190m from supplying over-the-counter medications and treatments described as "low value".

NHS England says for most of the 17 procedures under consideration, alternative treatments including physiotherapy, a minor injection or change of diet are likely to be effective.

NHS England national medical director Prof Stephen Powis said: "If we want the very best clinical care for our patients, we need to stop putting them through treatments where risks and harms outweigh the benefits.

"By reducing unnecessary or risky procedures for some patients we can get better outcomes while reducing waste and targeting resource to where it is most needed."

The plans have the backing of health professionals and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which advises on the clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of treatments.

But patients at risk of serious harm from their condition will continue to be offered treatment.

Which treatments will be affected?
It is proposed four treatments will be offered only when a patient makes an individual request.

These include surgery for snoring, where there is said to be only limited clinical evidence of effectiveness and which poses significant risks to patients.

The others are: dilatation and curettage for heavy menstrual bleeding, knee arthroscopies for osteoarthritis and injections for non-specific back pain.

A further 13 procedures will only to be offered when specific criteria are met:

Breast reduction
Removal of benign skin lesions
Grommets for Glue Ear
Tonsillectomy for sore throats
Haemorrhoid surgery
Hysterectomy for heavy menstrual bleeding
Chalazia (lesions on eyelids) removal
Anthroscopic compression for subacromial shoulder pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome release
Dupuytren's contracture release for tightening of fingers
Ganglion excision - removal of noncancerous lumps on the wrist or hand
Trigger finger release
Varicose vein surgery

NHS England chief executive Simon Stephens says with more money committed by the government the health service must now work harder to tackle waste and reinvest savings.

He said: "The NHS is already independently ranked as one of the most efficient health services in the world.

"Precisely because the NHS is owned by the public, all the savings we now make will be directly reinvested in better frontline cancer, mental health and other critical services."

How have medical professionals reacted?
NHS England plans to consult publicly on the proposals between 4 July and 28 September, with changes planned to start in 2019-20.

Academy of Medical Royal Colleges chairwoman Prof Carrie MacEwen said: "These are evidence-based proposals which have been subject to clinical scrutiny.

"The Academy of Medical Colleges supports the overall programme which will benefit patients, clinicians and the NHS as a whole by reducing harm and targeting those who will benefit most."

GP Brian Hope said he hoped publishing the list would make people come up with healthier solutions to certain problems.

He added: "We have still got to try and get people to think, 'wait a minute, could I do something myself - lose weight, be more active?'

"All those things could work out. It might be a bit more effort on the part of the patient, but actually it can be just as effective."

Physio therapist Lucy Macdonald welcomed the plans, saying: "I am a physio who is very happy about the recent news that knee arthroscopies and shoulder decompressions are going to be limited, because for a long time research has shown they are largely ineffective."

But what about the patients?
Some have criticised the announcement.

Anthony Stuart, a 52-year-old artist blacksmith, has dupuytren's contracture - where fingers become permanently bent or flexed - and has had surgery on one of his hands to correct this.

He is due to have another procedure to try to correct his other hand in July. He said the treatment had a huge positive impact on his condition.

"I'm astounded that the government can call treatment for Dupuytren's ineffective," added Mr Stuart.

"My consultant says if people don't have this procedure it could lead to amputation, which is even more costly to the NHS."