If the Health Department accepts the recommendation, which says that all patients who have type 2 diabetes and who are clinically obese should be considered for gastric bypass operations, hundreds of extra Islanders could be eligible for the surgery.
With each operation costing thousands of pounds Health bosses say that budgets may need to increase to cope with the workload.
And they say that paying for the surgery now could save the Island money in the long run.
Around 120 people in Jersey are awaiting assessment or are undertaking programmes preparing them for gastric bypass operations. But it is estimated that an additional 600 Islanders would be eligible for the surgery if the States adopt the NICE recommendation.
Diabetes consultant Dr Peter Bates, the head of Jersey’s Diabetes Centre, said that the States should consider increasing the budget for the procedures.
Full story in Monday’s JEP.
Do you think this is a good idea? Is this a good use of public money – or should other options be explored?
