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Consultants at one hospital have announced that they will refuse to accept GP referrals of patients who smoke.
Vascular surgeons from Edinburgh Royal Infirmary have defended their right to demand that patients stop smoking before accessing certain kinds of treatment.
The hospital, part of NHS Lothian, has argued that medical intervention for vascular disease could be avoided altogether if patients stopped smoking and adapted to healthier lifestyles.
Mr Zahid Reza, a consultant vascular surgeon at ERI, said that his clinic was refusing to accept GP referrals for patients who continued to smoke, unless it was an emergency.
He told the Scotsman: ‘Evidence shows that they would not do well with the treatment. In around 80% of cases, a smoker’s condition will improve just simply by stopping smoking and making other lifestyle changes.
‘Some patients have written to their MP demanding to see a consultant. I have written back to the MP to explain our position.’
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/20007532.article
(free registration required)
Vascular surgeons from Edinburgh Royal Infirmary have defended their right to demand that patients stop smoking before accessing certain kinds of treatment.
The hospital, part of NHS Lothian, has argued that medical intervention for vascular disease could be avoided altogether if patients stopped smoking and adapted to healthier lifestyles.
Mr Zahid Reza, a consultant vascular surgeon at ERI, said that his clinic was refusing to accept GP referrals for patients who continued to smoke, unless it was an emergency.
He told the Scotsman: ‘Evidence shows that they would not do well with the treatment. In around 80% of cases, a smoker’s condition will improve just simply by stopping smoking and making other lifestyle changes.
‘Some patients have written to their MP demanding to see a consultant. I have written back to the MP to explain our position.’
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/20007532.article
(free registration required)