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| NHS 'inconsistent' on obesity ops | NHS 'inconsistent' on obesity ops |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Access to weight loss operations on the NHS is "inconsistent and unethical", the Royal College of Surgeons has said. | Access to weight loss operations on the NHS is "inconsistent and unethical", the Royal College of Surgeons has said. |
| The RCS says some patients who meet the criteria for stomach surgery of England and Wales health watchdog NICE have to wait until they become even more obese. | The RCS says some patients who meet the criteria for stomach surgery of England and Wales health watchdog NICE have to wait until they become even more obese. |
| It estimates the 4,300 operations such as gastric band fittings carried out by the NHS last year met only 2% of need. | It estimates the 4,300 operations such as gastric band fittings carried out by the NHS last year met only 2% of need. |
| The NHS Confederation said primary care trusts had to balance local needs and priorities while planning services. | The NHS Confederation said primary care trusts had to balance local needs and priorities while planning services. |
| Private hospitals | Private hospitals |
| The RCS warning comes as the Medical Defence Union (MDU) releases figures showing a rise in the number of compensation claims by obese people who have suffered complications after private stomach operations - including one death. | The RCS warning comes as the Medical Defence Union (MDU) releases figures showing a rise in the number of compensation claims by obese people who have suffered complications after private stomach operations - including one death. |
| There is absolutely no doubt that some patients more needy of surgical treatment than others are being denied it Peter Sedman, surgeon | There is absolutely no doubt that some patients more needy of surgical treatment than others are being denied it Peter Sedman, surgeon |
| There are no centrally collected figures for complications after NHS weight loss surgery. | There are no centrally collected figures for complications after NHS weight loss surgery. |
| The RCS has launched a national registry for these operations to try to get a better picture of what is happening. | The RCS has launched a national registry for these operations to try to get a better picture of what is happening. |
| It says access to stomach surgery on the NHS is "inconsistent, unethical and completely dependent on geographical location" - despite guidelines issued by NICE three years ago, which aimed to provide consistent treatment in England and Wales. | It says access to stomach surgery on the NHS is "inconsistent, unethical and completely dependent on geographical location" - despite guidelines issued by NICE three years ago, which aimed to provide consistent treatment in England and Wales. |
| Surgeons have accused some NHS trusts of raising the bar, so that only the most extremely ill patients are being referred for operations. | Surgeons have accused some NHS trusts of raising the bar, so that only the most extremely ill patients are being referred for operations. |
| Hull-based surgeon Peter Sedman said: "There is absolutely no doubt that some patients more needy of surgical treatment than others are being denied it. | Hull-based surgeon Peter Sedman said: "There is absolutely no doubt that some patients more needy of surgical treatment than others are being denied it. |
| "Sometimes, unless the patient moves house, they will not be referred - or if they are, the treatment is subsequently blocked." | "Sometimes, unless the patient moves house, they will not be referred - or if they are, the treatment is subsequently blocked." |
| The RCS says about 240,000 people want weight loss surgery - yet only 4,300 NHS operations were carried out last year. | The RCS says about 240,000 people want weight loss surgery - yet only 4,300 NHS operations were carried out last year. |
| A similar number are carried out in private hospitals every year. | A similar number are carried out in private hospitals every year. |
| Growing demand | Growing demand |
| The MDU's figures show that since 2003, there have been 35 compensation claims for weight loss surgery paid for privately - 21 of them have been in the past two years. | The MDU's figures show that since 2003, there have been 35 compensation claims for weight loss surgery paid for privately - 21 of them have been in the past two years. |
| Obesity patient describes complications | |
| In at least one case a patient died following an infection, which was allegedly caused by the gut being perforated. | In at least one case a patient died following an infection, which was allegedly caused by the gut being perforated. |
| Another patient had to be put on a ventilator after a leak following a gastric bypass led to an infection. | Another patient had to be put on a ventilator after a leak following a gastric bypass led to an infection. |
| Other problems involved gastric bands slipping or leaking. | Other problems involved gastric bands slipping or leaking. |
| The MDU, which insures doctors, says most of the claims are still ongoing, with the estimated value of each one ranging from £2,500 and £500,000. Not all cases will result in payouts. | The MDU, which insures doctors, says most of the claims are still ongoing, with the estimated value of each one ranging from £2,500 and £500,000. Not all cases will result in payouts. |
| Its chief executive, Dr Christine Tomkins, said: "These claims aren't surprising, given that this type of surgery is fairly new. | Its chief executive, Dr Christine Tomkins, said: "These claims aren't surprising, given that this type of surgery is fairly new. |
| "There's usually a time lag between an incident occurring and a claim being made. | "There's usually a time lag between an incident occurring and a claim being made. |
| "We want to try to help our members avoid some of the common problems we're highlighting." | "We want to try to help our members avoid some of the common problems we're highlighting." |
| Demand for the operations continues to grow each year. One company, BMI Healthcare, said it was seeing a 20% year-on-year increase. | Demand for the operations continues to grow each year. One company, BMI Healthcare, said it was seeing a 20% year-on-year increase. |
| Experts warn that surgery to tackle obesity is a medical procedure, rather than a cosmetic operation. | Experts warn that surgery to tackle obesity is a medical procedure, rather than a cosmetic operation. |
| A Department of Health spokesman said: "Independent guidance on obesity from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends that drugs and surgery should always be a last resort." | A Department of Health spokesman said: "Independent guidance on obesity from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends that drugs and surgery should always be a last resort." |