NHS England to review obese surgery ban in York

NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group’s proposal to delay non-life threatening procedures to patients with a body mass index exceeding 30 is due to be reviewed.

Under the plans obese patients in the Vale of York area could have secured a referral in less than a year if they shed 10 per cent of their weight. The rule would also apply to smokers, who could accelerate the time frame by quitting the habit for at least eight weeks.

The proposals have been announced as part of a wider strategy to to reduce costs to ease local pressure.

However, a spokesman for NHS England, said: "Reducing obesity and cutting smoking not only benefits patients, but saves the NHS and taxpayers millions of pounds.

"This does not and cannot mean blanket bans on particular patients such as smokers getting operations, which would be inconsistent with the NHS constitution."

Similarly, Clare Marx, president of the Royal College of Surgeons, argued: "Smokers and overweight patients should unquestionably be helped to stop smoking or lose weight prior to surgery for their overall health.

"We would support any attempts by Vale of York to expand its weight loss and smoking cessation programmes, but introducing blanket bans that delay patients' access to what can be life-changing surgery for up to a year is wrong."

Meanwhile, a statement from the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group said: "NHS England has today asked us to review the draft approach, which we will now do, and will hold off implementing anything until we have an agreed way forward.

"We will ensure any plans are implemented in line with national guidance, are in the best interests of our patients and are clinically robust."