The NHS in England is facing criticism for restricting access to obesity services, with nearly half of the country unable to book appointments with specialist teams for support and treatments such as weight-loss jabs. Budget cuts have disproportionately affected obesity care, leading to a “postcode lottery of care” for patients. Some areas do not have access to bariatric surgery, one of the most effective treatments for obesity.
Experts warn that the lack of adequate obesity services could lead to rising obesity rates, worsening health outcomes, and increased healthcare costs. The cost of obesity to the NHS in England is estimated at £6.5bn a year, making it the second biggest cause of cancer after smoking.
The investigation by the British Medical Journal found that many integrated care boards (ICBs) in England were not providing comprehensive adult weight loss services. Some areas had restrictions on tier three obesity services, which provide weight-loss drugs, while others did not offer any bariatric surgery.
The findings of the investigation echo those of a recent report by the Future Health research agency, which found that many ICBs in England had not prioritized tackling obesity. Richard Sloggett, the author of the report, called for urgent action to improve NHS obesity services and ensure a minimum service specification in each ICB.
In response, a spokesperson for NHS England said that they are working with the Department of Health to support improvements in the obesity pathway. The issue of obesity care in England highlights the need for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to address the growing public health challenge of obesity.
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