THE number of Oxfordshire people being approved for drastic weight-loss surgery on the NHS has more than doubled in the past three years.

NHS Oxfordshire, the county’s primary care trust, has almost doubled its budget this year to deal with the county’s obesity problems, even though it applies stricter criteria to treat people than national guidelines.

But last night, a leading surgeon based at the JR, said he thought the NHS should be spending more on the procedures.

Figures released by NHS Oxfordshire showed 32 morbidly obese patients were approved for weight-loss surgery – mainly with gastric bands being fitted – in the 12 months up to April. Two years previously it was 14.

In 2007-08, £235,700 was spent, but this year £761,000 has been budgetted, a rise of £350,000 on the previous 12 months.

Angela Baker, a consultant in public health, said only the most dangerously overweight were considered for the procedure.

She said: “Bariatric surgery, including operations to have gastric bands fitted, is very much a last resort.

“With all operations there is an element of risk and these risks increase if a person is seriously overweight, so all options will be considered and pursued before putting a patient forward for surgery.”

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice), which offers guidelines to healthcare providers, said patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above should be referred for surgery.

A healthy BMI shows between 19 and 25 per cent body fat, overweight is 25 to 30, and more than 30 is obese.

It is estimated about half of Oxfordshire’s 635,500 population is overweight or obese – with five per cent morbidly obese, meaning they have a BMI above 40.

Nice said people with a BMI of between 35 and 40 who had other conditions such as type two diabetes should also be referred.

However, NHS Oxfordshire will only pay for the surgery for people with a BMI of more than 50 who also have a serious illness because of their weight.

Surgeon Nick Maynard believed the trust should be approving more people for the operations because they offer massive health benefits.

He said: “There is overwhelming evidence as to the benefits of this surgery.

“It can cure diabetes, and has huge benefits for patients with heart problems, and associated illnesses such as cancer.

“For a short-term cost, this procedure can end up saving the NHS in Oxfordshire vast sums.”

But Ms Baker added: “NHS Oxfordshire provides support and alternative options to people who are morbidly obese. This includes paying for them to attend slimming classes and, if this fails, referring them for specialist support from dieticians, psychologists and specialist doctors and nurses.

“I would urge everyone to avoid getting to a position where their weight is a serious problem by eating a varied and healthy diet and being physically active every day. If you are worried about your weight, seek advice from a GP or practice nurse.”

Fiona McEvoy, of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “Treatments that can allow overweight people to ignore responsibility for their own health shouldn’t be prioritised. The potential drain on NHS resources is so huge that rather than take these invasive measures, those risking bad health should be encouraged to lose weight the old fashioned way, by eating less.”