Aussie smokers refused surgery unless they quit

Australian smokers are being refused surgery by some doctors unless they are willing to kick the habit, it has been revealed.

Australian and New Zealand Society of Vascular Surgeons president Dr John Quinn told the Courier Mail while doctors will not refuse to see a patient, "some are refused immediate treatment".

Patients suffering from vascular pain when they walked but were not in danger of losing a limb would be urged to quit smoking before considering going under the knife, he said.

"As surgeons we have the right not to treat in certain circumstances like obesity or smoking, if the patient doesn't change behaviour," Dr Quinn said.

The revelation comes as outrage brews in Scotland after Edinburgh Royal Infirmary vascular surgeon Zahid Reza revealed his clinic is refusing to accept GP referrals for patients who continued to smoke.

"Evidence shows that they would not do well with the treatment. In around 80 percent of cases, a smoker's condition will improve just simply by stopping smoking and making other lifestyle changes," he told The Scotsman.

Dr Quinn argued Australia's public purse did not have enough money and "if you've got to ration treatment," there were circumstances where non-smokers should be treated first.

Source: Courier Mail, The Scotsman
Author: Chloe Ross, Approving editor: Simon Black