Surgeons oppose restrictions

The Royal College of Surgeons has spoken out strongly against the plan to target smokers and people who are obese.

A spokesperson said: “It is deeply disappointing to discover yet another clinical commissioning group is unfairly targeting smokers and obese patients.

“In these financially difficult times for the NhS we have seen a growing number of commissioners introduce similar policies in order to save money.

“While it’s absolutely right that patients are encouraged to lose weight and stop smoking for their overall health, making it a condition of their treatment ignores NICe (National Institute for health and Care excellence) clinical guidance, and leaves them unnecessarily in pain or discomfort.

“In some cases, making a patient wait longer for surgery while they lose weight or stop smoking could result in a worse outcome.

“The CCGs do suggest exemptions to their policies, for example if there are safety concerns about delaying referral or a patient is unable to work due to their condition.

“however, it is less clear who will be making these decisions.

“The relevant specialist, for example an orthopaedic surgeon in the case of a hip replacement, should be assessing a patient’s need for surgery.

“The CCGs’ health optimisation pathway appears to delay access to these clinicians.

“If North Kirklees and huddersfield CCGs are introducing these policies as part of a cost cutting exercise it should make clear what previous steps it has taken to make savings and explain how singling out specific groups of patients is the best way to save money.”