Options explained for people denied orthopaedic surgery due to their weight

In recent months the restrictions around orthopaedic surgery in York has been a hot topic in the local news.

There have been a number of cases in which patients with a BMI (Body Mass Index) greater than 30 say they feel discriminated against when needing surgery, and are told that they need to lose weight before they can undergo certain surgical procedures.

Clifton Park Hospital in York, a centre of excellence in orthopaedic surgery treat NHS, private and insured patients and has seen an increase in the number of people funding their own treatment or using their insurance to bypass the restrictions. The hospital has also opened a brand new outpatient facility and refurbished its private patient facilities to accommodate patients opting for alternative routes to the NHS.

So, what are your options?

1. NHS pathway – Choose Clifton Park Hospital as an orthopedic Centre of Excellence – Losing weight and/or quitting smoking can be a lengthy process and there is local support through GPs and the NHS to help people to reach the health required so they are not considered a risk for surgery. The government initiative ‘Patient Choice’, states that people who live in England can choose where they have surgery, as long as the hospital provides the level of care needed. It doesn’t cost the NHS any more if you choose your own hospital and won’t cost you anything if you do choose an independent provider.

2. Use your private medical insurance – your insurance is there to give you access to the best treatment available. A simple call to your insurer can get the ball rolling and give you a choice of surgeon, hospital and appointments that work around you and your family and work life.

50 year old Heath Samples from Scarborough, North Yorkshire chose hip surgery at Clifton Park Hospital under Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Tony Maury.  Heath spoke about his experience:

“I was told five years previously that it was 'well wrecked', but I decided to leave it as I was both too busy and didn’t want to go through the operation and recovery. In the end the movement was that restrictive that I was struggling to do anything with a smile.”

Heath used his private medical insurance instead of waiting for NHS treatment and said:

“It would have taken far longer through the NHS, and if I was provided a date that didn’t fit, I still had to go, plus I wouldn’t have been able to choose the surgeon.”

3. Fund your own treatment – Paying for your treatment can seem expensive, but there are 0% finance options, if you need them. Funding your own treatment means you can benefit from your choice of hospital, private en-suite rooms, choice of surgeon and your choice of when you have surgery.

One recent patient was told that he couldn’t have a hip replacement through the NHS because his BMI was too high. He attended a free one-to-one at Clifton Park Hospital and decided to pay for his own treatment, as the pain was stopping him from walking and doing daily tasks:

“The hospital, service and staff were excellent. I love to travel, and the surgery has helped me get my quality of life back and means that I can enjoy my life again. If I had to give advice to anyone considering surgery and Clifton Park Hospital, I would say ‘go for it!’”.

Clifton Park Hospital’s new Private Patient Pledge* is designed especially to give patients the very best service, including:

• Choice of consultant
• No cancellations
• Appointments to suit you
• 0% finance
• No waiting lists
• Unlimited aftercare
• Price Match

There is also the opportunity to get free advice from some consultants, by booking onto an open evening. These are short one-to-one discussions with a specialist to discuss your options, with no obligation to commit and without a consultation fee.

To find out more about Clifton Park Hospital, visit their website or Facebook page >>

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