The UK’s first dedicated bariatric
clinic opened this week in the grounds of BMI The Clementine Churchill Hospital
in Harrow. The clinic designed and opened by leading weight loss surgery group
Streamline Surgical has been created around the needs and requirements of
bariatric patients and aims to set a new standard for the treatment of obesity
in the UK.
Facilities such as The Sudbury
Clinic have existed in the US for many years and with the opening of The
Sudbury Clinic, Streamline Surgical and BMI Healthcare are acknowledging a new
approach to the effective management of obesity. Founded by three of the UK’s
leading consultant bariatric surgeons, Mr Shaw Somers, Mr Guy Slater and Mr
Chris Pring, The Sudbury Clinic was designed to improve the patient experience,
both physically and psychologically during their pre and postoperative care.
The clinic
offers a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for patients. The team
understand completely the needs of a bariatric patient and ensure that all
patients are treated with care and compassion whatever stage of their weight
loss journey they are at. Specialist features in the clinic include larger
doorways, sofas and examination beds that have been subtlety designed to meet the needs of the
bariatric patient while creating a homely and inviting interior. The
seats in the waiting room have been raised four inches higher off the ground
and can support up to 50 stone in weight. The clinic's weighing scales also
measure up to 80st, compared with the standard 25st.
Consultant Bariatric Surgeon Mr Shaw Somers at BMI The Clementine
Churchill Hospital and founding partner of Streamline Surgical comments: “The UK obesity epidemic is following the
lead of that from the US and for several years public attitudes there have
recognised the condition as an illness. Having worked as an NHS Surgeon for
many years, I along with many of my colleagues recognise the huge burden that
obesity places on our resources, both directly and indirectly.
We want our patients to feel
that they have somewhere to go that is designed to make them feel comfortable
and can accommodate their needs in a subtle way. Centers like The Sudbury Clinic have
long existed in America, and with the obesity epidemic in the UK growing
rapidly, it is important that we offer a concrete support network for our
patients.”
The Sudbury Clinic will provide
specialist bariatric care for all patients and its multi-disciplinary team of
surgeons, doctors, nurses, dietitians and psychologists, will be supported by
the expertise and facilities available onsite at BMI The Clementine Churchill
Hospital.
Executive Director Jan Hale at BMI
The Clementine Churchill Hospital commented: “The opening of The Sudbury Clinic
highlights the emphasis being placed on the issue of obesity by both BMI
Healthcare and The Clementine Churchill Hospital. Obesity represents one of the
biggest threats to health and wellbeing of the UK and for many patients, whom
dieting, exercise and medications aren’t enough to bring their weight down to a
safe and lasting level, surgery can be the only viable option. Many patients
who are considering bariatric surgery face an unusually high level of anxiety
and stress and we hope that this new clinic will become the model for the UK
healthcare market place. By addressing the needs of our patients we hope to
support them in every way along their journey to a longer healthier life.”
Private hospital news : 29 May 2012
