More can stomach obesity surgery

May 28 2008 by William Green, The Journal

THE number of people in the North East having major stomach surgery for obesity has soared, according to new figures.

Statistics released to MPs show the number of gastric bypass operations in the region have jumped from 129 in 2005-06 to 174 in 2006-07.

The total in Newcastle rose from 79 to 95, and in North Tyneside and Northumberland went up to 16 from five or less over the same period – with the statistics not revealing numbers where five or fewer operations took place to protect confidentiality.

In South Tyneside, seven patients were operated on in 2006-07 compared to five or less in the previous year. Gastric bypasses rose from 25 to 47 in the South Tees area.

Nine operations took place in County Durham and Darlington in 2006-07 compared to eight in the previous 12 months – although other areas saw a drop in such weight-loss surgery. Six operations took place in Gateshead and 11 in North Tees and Hartlepool in 2005-06 compared to five or fewer in the following year.

Nationally, the statistics suggest a 41% rise in one year in such operations.

In 2006/07, 3,459 gastric bypass operations were carried out on the NHS in England, up 41% on the 2,448 figure for 2005/06.

The highest number was in Hull and East Yorkshire, where there were 207 operations in 2006/07, the data showed.

Dr George Rae, regional chairman of the BMA GP committee, said the North East was the most unhealthy region in England with more obese people than there should be per head.

Most patients could be treated naturally through diet and exercise, but further action was required for a small number who would die prematurely, said the Whitley Bay doctor.

He added: “We have got to go for the preventative aspects and get that into the health culture just as much as treating people when they are obese. Prevention is better than cure.”

The North East Strategic Health Authority said the region’s recently launched strategy for public health made tackling obesity a major objective, but stressed an integrated approach was needed. Stephen Singleton, the authority’s medical director, said: “Surgery can be needed, often as a last resort, for very obese people and services are developing to meet this need – but operations are a very small part of tackling obesity overall.”

Tory health spokesman Andrew Lansley said: “The number of operations will continue to rise sharply in the future unless we do a lot more to encourage people to be more active and eat more healthily.”

He said the Government was failing to tackle obesity because of cuts in public health budgets and dedicated staff, while the Liberal Democrats claimed not enough was being done on prevention.

The Department of Health said it is launching a £75m publicity drive this year to encourage a “cultural shift” in eating and exercise habits.

A spokesman added it was up to local health chiefs to decide the most “appropriate” health care for their areas, based on clinical need, effectiveness and medical advice.