Weighty matters

Published on 06/08/2012 00:00

In A thought-provoking statement, a leading Edinburgh surgeon was reported at the 
weekend to have recommended that we treat obese patients as a priority over the terminally ill, which brings into question the whole matter of clinical decisions as to who gets priority for 
treatment.

The NHS is indeed an 
expensive but great national system of medical care, but who should be making decisions on critical care when based on 
age and for those who have contributed to their state of health either through overeating or substance abuse? While accepting the NHS is running to a tight budget, many in need of expensive drugs are 
denied treatment on the basis that the drugs are too expensive and, therefore, not on the approved list for NHS use. This leaves patients – unless they are able to afford to pay for their own treatment – denied drugs that could save or extend their life.

Dennis Grattan

Mugiemoss Road

Bucksburn, Aberdeen