Rationing of joint replacements raises fears of further cuts

doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7528.1290

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Rebecca Coombes

London

A decision by NHS trusts in Suffolk to deny replacement joints to obese patients has led to concerns that other financially stretched NHS trusts could take similar steps to ration treatment.

As part of a series of new “thresholds” to treatment, three primary care trusts in east Suffolk—Ipswich, Suffolk Coastal, and Central Suffolk—have announced that patients will no longer be considered for hip or knee joint replacements if they have a body mass index (BMI) >30.

The list of thresholds was drawn up by a group of consultants who carry out the procedures at Ipswich Hospital and local GPs, led by Brian Keeble, director of public health for Ipswich …