No surgery ban announced
The CCG wishes to clarify its position following media coverage suggesting it has announced a ban on surgery for 12 months for smokers or those with a BMI of above 30. This is not the case.
Dr Shaun O’Connell, a local GP and a Clinical Lead at the CCG, said:
“There is no ban in place. NHS Vale of York CCG has introduced new criteria which asks patients with a BMI of 30 or above to lose weight before surgery and those recorded as a current smoker to quit smoking for at least two months. Support and help to achieve this is also being offered.
“Eating healthily, taking exercise and stopping smoking make a real difference to health and to the result of operations. For this reason, we see this as a key time to discuss with patients the changes they could make to have a safe and successful operation and recover quickly.
“However there is no ban and no blanket policy – people who do not wish to access the support services or fail to meet the criteria will not be denied their operation, decisions about what is in the best interests of their health, will be made on a case-by-case basis.”
Background information
The new criteria will take effect from January 2017.
Exclusions
Local patients opting for elective surgery, but need to lose weight or quit smoking, will receive help and support information including a range of resources at www.valeofyorkccg.nhs.uk/your-health
There are exclusions to the new measures and the list is currently being finalised. The draft list includes:
- patients requiring emergency surgery or with clinically urgent need e.g. cholecystectomy, surgery for peripheral vascular disease;
- patients requiring surgery for diagnostic endoscopy procedures such as gastroscopy, colonoscopy, nasopharyngolaryngoscopy, laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and cystoscopy;
- patients receiving surgery for the treatment of cancer or the suspicion of cancer;
- patients referred for bariatric surgery (weight management exclusion only);
- any surgical interventions that may be required as a result of pregnancy;
- children under 18 years of age;
- vulnerable patients who will need to be clinically assessed to ensure where they may be able to benefit from opportunities to improve their lifestyle, that these are offered. This includes patients with learning disabilities, significant cognitive impairment or severe mental illness.
