More than 30,000 people in Britain will die this year because they are obese. In 2007 the NHS spent £4.2 billion on treating obesity. It is estimated that by 2050 this will rise to £10 billion.
Hospitals and GP surgeries are equipping themselves with extra wide wheelchairs, stronger hoists and reinforced operating tables. A wider wheelchair can cost £1200 more than the standard version. CT and MRI scanners with three times the usual space each cost £1 million. Drugs to treat the conditions caused by obesity, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and some forms of cancer cost twice as much as the money spent on people with a healthy BMI. Treating obesity takes a heavy toll on the work of GP surgeries because of additional screening.
Daily Mail
NOSC View
This is a situation that cannot continue. Perhaps there should be a move to partial funding of gastric balloon and gastric band procedures. It is obvious that the NHS are not financially in a position to provide bariatric surgery for everyone who would benefit. Likewise, many people who would like to have a gastric band or gastric balloon fitted privately, cannot afford to pay the full amount. Wouldn’t it make sense for the NHS and the private sector to work together so that more people can be treated?