NHS Restricts Obesity Services across England, Investigates BMJ
The NHS is limiting access to obesity services across England, BMJ reports, with nearly half the country unable to book appointments for specialist treatment. Budget cuts have disproportionately impacted obesity care, causing a postcode lottery of services. Experts urge immediate action to address rising obesity rates, which cost the NHS £6.5 billion annually.
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) has revealed that the NHS is limiting access to obesity services across England, resulting in almost half the country unable to book appointments for specialist support and treatments.
Budget cuts to local services have disproportionately impacted obesity care, with many integrated care boards (ICBs) unable to provide bariatric surgery, one of the most effective obesity treatments.
Dr. Nicola Heslehurst and Prof. John Wilding highlight the urgent need for radical action to address rising obesity rates and associated costs.
Obesity costs the NHS £6.5 billion annually and is the second largest cause of cancer after smoking.
Only just over half of England’s ICBs offer the full range of adult weight-loss services, and many have restricted or closed tier three and tier four services.
The BMJ findings coincide with a Future Health report underscoring the lack of detailed plans among ICBs to tackle obesity, emphasizing a nationwide need for government intervention and improved NHS services.