HOSPITAL SPENDING ON SUPERSIZE EQUIPMENT DOUBLES - LAMB

12.04.00pm GMT Sun 14th Oct 2007

Hospitals have doubled their spending on equipment for obese patients, new figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats have shown.

The average hospital spent £60,000 on 'supersized' equipment this year, compared with £30,000 spent three years ago. The number of obese adult patients admitted to hospital has risen by over 45% from 2002/2003 to 2006/2007, whilst the number of obese children admitted has risen by over 30%.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said:

"This is a stark and depressing demonstration of the Government's failure to tackle the obesity crisis.

"We already know that billions of pounds are spent treating obesity, and the consequences of health problems linked to it. This shows that there are also hidden costs - and this money would be much better spent tackling the problem.

"Hospitals are doing what they must to take care of their patients. It is the Government that must take responsibility for failing to do enough to halt the rise of this public health crisis. We now need urgent action to encourage healthier eating from the Government and food industry."