‘Stop surgery delay plan’

Dunne, to “take meaningful steps to end this unnecessary, unfair and counterproductive rationing of treatments’.’

Ms Sherriff, who secured the Westminster Hall debate, said: “Can he explain why he feels it is acceptable that someone in Wakefield could have surgery, while someone nine miles away in Dewsbury could not?

“They might both be smokers, and the surgery would be carried out by the same surgeon, probably in the same hospital.

“Are we not in danger of going into a very big postcode lottery once again?”

She added: “Is this the start of the beginning of a much bigger rationing programme?

“The NHS is in crisis, and I say that as someone who worked in the health service for nearly 13 years immediately before becoming an MP.

“I maintain that the concept of the health optimisation plan in Kirklees, and undoubtedly those elsewhere, is deeply flawed.

“I plead with the minister to use his influence to engage with the CCGs.

“I think we all agree that stopping smoking and losing weight is a good thing – my goodness, I could follow some of that advice – but not at the expense of people being in pain and potentially affecting their mental health, or of having a postcode lottery.”

The debate was adjourned before any motion could be passed.