Smokers and obese people to face delays in surgery
and North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) reveal health bosses will bring in the policy for people who have a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30.
Dr Steve Ollerton, local GP and Chairman of NHS Greater Huddersfield CCG said: “People who are fitter have a reduced risk of complications both during and after surgery.
“We also hope that encouraging people to make changes to their lifestyle before a routine operation will have a longer term impact on their overall health.”
NHS England confirmed it was not opposing the CCGs’ plan but the Royal College of Surgeons has criticised the idea for “unfairly targeting smokers and obese patients.”
The use of BMI to measure obesity has been controversial as the simple height and weight calculations it uses can see some professional athletes, such as rugby players, classed as obese.
Huddersfield Giants’ prop forward Sebastine Ikahihifo is one – weighing in at 108kg and 183cm (6ft) tall. The New Zealander’s statistics give a BMI reading of 32.2 – breaching the limit planned by local NHS officials. England rugby union veteran flanker James Haskell is another – with a BMI of 31.4. A spokesperson for the CCGs, said: “We are not limiting surgery. “We will be encouraging patients who are overweight or smoke to get fit before undergoing routine, planned surgery. “People who smoke or who are obese experience more complications during and after surgery and can take longer to recover. “This move offers people the opportunity of the best possible clinical outcome as well as the longer term benefits of a healthier lifestyle and is supported by Kirklees Council public health specialists.” Overweight people will be given 12 months to get their BMI down below 30 to discourage patients from attempting “crash diets.” If they lose 10% of their weight but still have a BMI above 30 they will be listed for surgery. Smokers will have to be smoke
People who are fitter have a reduced risk of complications during and after surgery