A MOVE which could have seen obese people in York denied surgery has now been introduced in Harrogate.

There was national consternation over NHS plans in York to delay non-life threatening operations for smokers and those classed as obese.

York halted the plans following national intervention from NHS England, which is overseeing Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) while it is under special measures.

But now the neighbouring Harrogate and Rural District CCG has brought in similar restrictions on routine operations as part of a bid to address a £8.4m budget deficit.

Anyone living in the area who has a BMI of more than 30 will be asked to go on a “weight management” programme for six months and smokers will be referred to a stop smoking service for a six month period before an operation will be considered.

Mr Ian Eardley, vice president of the Royal College of Surgeons, said they were surprised by Harrogate's decision given the "public outcry" at York's plans.

He said: “The Royal College of Surgeons is very supportive of encouraging patients to join programmes that help them lose weight or stop smoking. However making it a condition of receiving that surgery, no matter how sick they are or how much pain they are in, is wrong...NHS Trusts and CCGs are desperately looking for ways to save money in very challenging times but singling out groups of patients is not the way to do it. We hope NHS England will now step in to prevent Harrogate and any other CGGs from targeting patients in this way.”

Amanda Bloor, Harrogate CCG’s Chief Officer said the NHS spends around £9bn a year on patient care for those living with diabetes.

She said: “The measures we are taking encourage patients to take a greater responsibility for their lifestyle choices. It is vital that patients are given the skills and knowledge to take accountability for their own wellbeing to ensure we all lead healthier lifestyles.

“The CCG are not saying patients can’t have the surgery. By introducing a six month health optimisation period, we are encouraging and supporting patients to undertake a lifestyle change which will provide them with the best possible clinical outcome.”

Harrogate CCG is one of the few CCGs to be rated 'outstanding'.