NHS: Fat Lot Of Good For Obese?

11:37am UK, Sunday September 07, 2008
Thomas Moore, Health correspondent

Britain's top obesity surgeon has told Sky News he is considering legal action against the NHS for denying patients an operation that would prolong their lives.

Obesity operation

Stomach surgery can reduce appetite

Professor John Baxter said half of all primary care trusts are ignoring NHS guidelines that say morbidly obese patients should have stomach surgery to reduce their appetite.

He believes they strictly limit the procedure because it costs £6,000.

Professor Baxter, who is the president of the British Obesity Surgery Society, said cancer patients have successfully gone to court to win access to expensive new medicines.

He may take similar action to force the NHS to fund surgery - if patients do not beat him to it.

"The case for obesity surgery is overwhelming. It is clearly being rationed," he said.