NATIONAL Health Service departments in a Merseyside borough are increasing spending on obesity from £800,000 to around £3m.
The figures for Halton and St Helens Primary Care Trust follow official statistics released in February, which suggested the number of stomach surgery operations carried out by the NHS has gone up by 40%in a year.
The new data, from the NHS information centre, showed there were 2,724 hospital admissions in 2007/08 for bariatric surgery, which includes stomach stapling and gastric bypass.
Overall, hospital admissions for obesity also increased, reaching 5,018 in 2007/08, a 30% rise on 2006/07 and almost a seven-fold increase on 1996/97.
The data, obtained from 60 Primary Care Trusts under the Freedom of Information Act, showed 48% were now treating more patients for obesity than three years ago.
Around one in six (16%) PCTs had increased their obesity budget seven-fold in the last three years and the same number (16%) had equipment specially designed for obese patients, including larger examination couches.
With one in 10 four- to five-year-olds and one in five 10-to 11-yearolds in the borough acknowledged as being obese Halton and St Helens have budgeted to spend £3m to fight the fat in 2009/10, up from £800,000 in 2007/08.
A spokeswoman said: “NHS Halton and St Helens has consulted with the local population, GPs and the borough council and there is agreement that obesity should be one of our top priorities.
“In a year’s time, everyone in the local population will have access to a wide range of weight management services.
“By getting involved in one of their programmes and losing weight, local people can avoid developing diabetes, heart disease and bowel cancer. Activities will include community based weight management programmes for overweight and obese adults and children.”
The data also showed that 25% of PCTs have refused requests for bariatric surgery.
Dr David Haslam, clinical director of the National Obesity Forum, said PCTs were turning down requests for surgery not because patients were failing to meet criteria, but to cut costs.
He said: “PCTs are delighted to find any excuse to turn down bariatric surgery, despite the fact that it is among the most clinically effective, and cost- effective procedures in any field of medicine.”
