Patients who meet the criteria should be referred for assessment to the Bariatric Nurse Clinic at OPD 4, RIE. The main contact number for this clinic is 0131 242 1209
Who to refer
In line with both QIS and NICE guidelines only the following patients should be referred to the clinic. Note that prospective patients must satisfy ALL of these criteria:·
Lothian resident referrals only.·
Those with a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or more, or between 35 kg/m2 and 40 kg/m2 if they also have other significant disease (for example, type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure) that could only be improved if they lost weight.·
Patients who have already demonstrated a genuine commitment to change their lifestyle (both diet and physical activity) in order to lose weight. As evidence of this patients should have been on a recognised weight management programme for at least three months before referral.·
All appropriate non-surgical measures have been tried, including prescribed weight-loss drugs unless contraindicated, but have failed to achieve or maintain, adequate weight loss for at least 6 months·
Treatable medical, endocrine and psychological causes for the obesity have been excluded.·
Those who are fit for anaesthesia and surgery.·
Those who acknowledge the need for long-term follow up.
Who not to refer
The following patients should not be referred:·
Non Lothian resident patients. Referrals for these are required to be made through their host NHS Board. (Please see Note Below)
Patients who do not meet the BMI criteria.·
Patients who have not had explained to them that surgery brings with it the potential for the same mortality rate associated with any elective general surgical procedure – and the potential for between 10-20% of patients to experience complications following surgery.·
Patients who do not understand or commit to the lifelong dietary and lifestyle changes that must be made to achieve a successful outcome from surgery.·
Patients with current drug or alcohol addiction
How to refer
Only referrals that are made using the NHS Lothian Bariatric Referral Gateway Pro-forma will be accepted.
Contact point for enquiries::
The Bariatric Nurse Specialist Clinic, OPD4 RIE (
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