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NHS Devon smokers and obese surgery bar dropped | NHS Devon smokers and obese surgery bar dropped |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Plans to place conditions on routine surgery for smokers and the morbidly obese in Devon have been dropped. | Plans to place conditions on routine surgery for smokers and the morbidly obese in Devon have been dropped. |
The Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG) had proposed the plan to help cut a £14.5m deficit. | The Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG) had proposed the plan to help cut a £14.5m deficit. |
The Royal College of Surgeons, which was among the critics, said losing weight was not possible for some. | The Royal College of Surgeons, which was among the critics, said losing weight was not possible for some. |
The CCG, which organises the delivery of health services, reversed the plan following feedback. | The CCG, which organises the delivery of health services, reversed the plan following feedback. |
As part of cost-cutting measures announced in October, patients with a BMI of 35 or above would have had to shed 5% of their weight while smokers would have had to quit eight weeks before non-essential surgery. | As part of cost-cutting measures announced in October, patients with a BMI of 35 or above would have had to shed 5% of their weight while smokers would have had to quit eight weeks before non-essential surgery. |
What is morbid obesity? | What is morbid obesity? |
'Wholesale rationing' | |
On Thursday the CCG announced that it would not require patients to undergo weight loss or stop smoking. | On Thursday the CCG announced that it would not require patients to undergo weight loss or stop smoking. |
Ben Bradshaw, former Labour health minister and MP for Exeter, welcomed the change of plan. | |
He said: "What we're talking about at the moment in Devon, and I think people need to understand this, is a wholesale rationing of healthcare in a way we've never seen in the NHS." | |
Dr Sarah Wollaston, chairman of the Health Select Committee and Conservative MP for Totnes, said: "These kinds of measures - if they are evidence-based and good for patients - then there is an argument for saying that we do them everywhere but that wasn't the reason this was being introduced." | |
A CCG spokesman said: "We announced a series of measures to improve health outcomes in October. This produced a helpful public debate which we have followed with interest. | |
"We have come to the conclusion that there is already a strong public acceptance of the need for people to continue to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing. | "We have come to the conclusion that there is already a strong public acceptance of the need for people to continue to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing. |
"We have therefore decided to further promote smoking cessation and weight loss services to improve outcomes for patients." | "We have therefore decided to further promote smoking cessation and weight loss services to improve outcomes for patients." |
It said plans to change from using some branded drugs to more generic drugs, restricting hearing aids and second cataract operations would be subject to consultation. | It said plans to change from using some branded drugs to more generic drugs, restricting hearing aids and second cataract operations would be subject to consultation. |
The management of hernias and suspension of some treatments such as ultrasound guided injections also remained under consideration. | The management of hernias and suspension of some treatments such as ultrasound guided injections also remained under consideration. |
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