NHS sees spending on obesity expand

ONE in six NHS trusts has seen spending on obesity rise more than seven-fold in three years.

High demand for stomach surgery for grossly overweight patients as well as specialist equipment, such as larger examination couches, means Primary Care Trust costs have shot up.

Figures from 60 PCTs showed 48 per cent were now treating more patients for obesity than three years ago.

One in six PCTs (16 per cent) increased its obesity budget seven-fold in the last three years.

The same number purchased primary care equipment specially designed for obese patients including over-sized blood pressure bands, couches and scales.

Official figures from the NHS information centre showed there were 2,724 hospital admissions in 2007-08 for bariatric surgery, which includes stomach stapling and gastric bypass.

Overall, hospital admissions for obesity also increased — to 5,018 in 2007-08 — a 30 per cent rise on 2006-07 and almost seven times more than in 1996-97.

Debra Malone, associate director for public health at NHS Oldham, the new name for Oldham Primary Care Trust, said they had been working promote healthy eating and exercise, two major contributing factors, as well as creating an obesity strategy with Oldham Council.

She said: “This will look at the many different ways of helping people to maintain a healthy weight. It will also aim to make sure people get the right advice and support on weight management when they first seek help and ensure treatment, when necessary, is appropriate and effective and respects patients’ dignity.

“We’re also working with NHS colleagues across Greater Manchester to look at the demand for bariatric surgery and how this is changing.

“Any budget implications will be clearer once this work is complete.”