The LMC continues to be concerned regarding the invidious position that GPs are put in when patients contact a surgery expecting aftercare following private bariatric surgery whether in this country or abroad.
We have previously raised this with the ICB and will continue to do so until there is a satisfactory and clear local position. Aftercare is considered by NICE to normally be a specialist service, and it is inappropriate for general practices to be requested to provide this.
The ICB has previously advised that if a patient would have been eligible for bariatric surgery in LLR, then they can be referred for aftercare at UHL. If you refer a patient in this position and the referral is rejected, please inform the LMC. If a patient is not eligible, then they should be advised that they will need to seek aftercare privately.
The NHS provides a ‘check list’ for patients to consider before travelling abroad for travel.
Our understanding is that the likely situation is that if a patient:
- Has private bariatric surgery, but would have met the NHS criteria, then they should be provided with the same NHS follow-up that would have been provided if they had the surgery done under the NHS.
- Has a complication following private bariatric surgery they will be eligible for NHS care of that complication.
- • Has private bariatric surgery but would not have met the NHS criteria, they are not eligible for NHS follow up, including from general practice.
The LMC has developed the following documents which can support general practice on bariatric surgery related matters:
We will continue to provide guidance and updates to practices, which GPs can share and use as they see fit.