Currently in Queensland two in three adults are overweight or obese, with studies showing obese adults are four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.
Both conditions are known to be associated with a number of serious health complications including cardiovascular disease and some cancers, as well as reducing life expectancy and placing significant burden on the health system each year.
But thanks to a new $5 million program obese Queenslanders with Type 2 diabetes could access potentially life-saving bariatric surgery. Under the new program, people aged 18-65 suffering from Type 2 diabetes and obesity-related complications would be considered for bariatric (weight loss) surgery.
The recommendation to fund the initiative came from the Queensland Clinical Senate, which is coordinated by the Clinical Excellence Division. At the Senate's Challenges in healthcare meeting held in March this year, senior clinicians and health administrators worked together to identify the elements of an effective publicly-funded bariatric surgery program in Queensland. This included criteria and workforce capability as well as bariatric surgery in the international context.
Senate Chair Dr David Rosengren said the initiative was a step in the right direction, but used only as a last resort. "We know the safest and best option to obtain a healthy weight is through healthy eating and exercise, but for those who are not successful and have severe obesity, this may be the best option. Studies have shown that bariatric surgery can deliver much improved diabetes control and even resolution of diabetes in many cases."
Dr Rosengren said the introduction of the new initiative was an example of how the Clinical Senate, through its clinician-led and collaborative approach, was helping to improve patient health and care.
It has also been reported that the Australian Medical Association recommended making bariatric surgery more accessible for the morbidly obese, and welcomed an increase in publicly-funded bariatric surgery in Queensland.
