- A report by Arthritis UK reveals that nearly one in five NHS integrated care boards (ICBs) are rationing crucial joint replacement surgeries based on patients' body mass index (BMI).
- The charity's analysis found that 31 out of 42 ICBs link BMI to hip and knee replacements, with eight setting defined BMI thresholds for surgical referral and 23 encouraging or mandating weight loss.
- Arthritis UK warns that these policies create a 'postcode lottery' of care, leaving individuals in prolonged pain, and are being implemented in a bid to cut waiting lists and costs.
- Leading medical bodies say that denying surgery based solely on BMI is not evidence-based and can worsen patient health.
- Arthritis UK is calling for an end to BMI policies that restrict access to surgery, saying that such practices are unfair and can be counterproductive to patient recovery.
IN FULL
UK patients ‘denied joint replacement operations because they are obese’
