Life-changing surgery denied for overweight patients

• NHS areas in England and Wales are denying obese patients hip and knee replacements based on BMI, despite NICE guidance against it, to cut costs.
• Patients are required to lose weight before surgery, but NHS weight loss programs have long waiting lists or are shut down.
• The Royal College of Surgeons of England has criticised the policy, warning that denying care could worsen patients' health and mobility.
• Former health minister James Bethell urges the government to address the obesity crisis, suggesting investment in weight-loss treatments or a stricter food strategy to avoid increased NHS costs and public misery.
• An audit by the National Institute for Health and Care Research found that 15 of 42 NHS areas in England restrict surgery access by BMI, with some patients resorting to private care.

IN FULL

Obese patients denied knee and hip replacements to slash NHS costs