Should the NHS Pay for Bariatric Surgery?

Anqi Liu

doi:10.18282/ii.v4i2.542

Anqi Liu University College London

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18282/ii.v4i2.542

Keywords: NHS, Bariatric Surgery, Personal Responsibility, Cost-Benefit Analysis

Abstract

Obesity has become an increasingly serious public health problem. This trend poses a serious threat to global public health. Bariatric surgery has been one of the most popular forms of weight loss in recent years, but there is controversy over whether the NHS should pay for obesity caused by personal responsibility. This paper places the research in the context of the UK health service system, using qualitative research as the main method. It first affirms the rationale and role of personal responsibility in illness, while also pointing out the limitations and challenges of implementing personal accountability for illness within the existing theoretical framework. It then describes the adverse consequences of eliminating the NHS from paying for bariatric surgery in terms of cost-benefit as well as universal health coverage. Ultimately, we believe that the NHS should continue to fund bariatric surgery. Overall, this study offers new ideas for assessing public health policy and welfare from the perspective of personal responsibility for illness.

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