News June
Obese Wales: We're too fat to treat
THE obesity problem spreading across Wales has left us with patients
too fat to treat.
Overweight and obese people are now struggling to use NHS services
because of their size. Experts have warned that our growing waistlines
will not only affect our long-term health but could also affect
our ability to be treated.
The problems have become so acute that:
Ambulance services have dedicated vehicles for the heaviest patients;
Contingency plans have been drawn up to double-team crews, or even
call in the fire brigade if they can't lift casualties;
Surgeries and hospitals often do not have chairs big enough for
large patients;
Stretchers have been built to carry patients weighing 35stone;
Operations have been refused until patients lose weight.
The warnings come after a 22-stone man was refused an MRI scan
because he was told he was too heavy for the table. He said that
despite attempts to squeeze him into the machine, he got stuck and
the scan was abandoned.
Source
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/
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