Re: Obesity: Only half of England has access to comprehensive weight loss services
Dear Editor
Can we be given some evidence of the benefits of level 3 and 4 weight loss services? With their lack of availability and long waits, are they in reality a system rationing people accessing weight loss surgery and the more recently effective drug therapy? With so many people now bypassing the NHS and buying, possibly fake, medication online with no professional help or self referring to Turkey for surgery with no screening or follow up, might one suggest these obstacles are removed.
People's lives are being blighted by the delays, with huge consequential costs to society and the NHS. If there is good evidence of benefit let's see it and if not loosen the controls over GPs and allow them to refer and prescribe (and follow up).
Rapid Response:
Re: Obesity: Only half of England has access to comprehensive weight loss services
Dear Editor
Can we be given some evidence of the benefits of level 3 and 4 weight loss services? With their lack of availability and long waits, are they in reality a system rationing people accessing weight loss surgery and the more recently effective drug therapy? With so many people now bypassing the NHS and buying, possibly fake, medication online with no professional help or self referring to Turkey for surgery with no screening or follow up, might one suggest these obstacles are removed.
People's lives are being blighted by the delays, with huge consequential costs to society and the NHS. If there is good evidence of benefit let's see it and if not loosen the controls over GPs and allow them to refer and prescribe (and follow up).
Competing interests: No competing interests