York Hospital’s big bill for ‘obese’ beds

An investigation by The Press can reveal that since 2006, hospital bosses have been forced to fork out £54,600 to buy 42 specialist beds – each capable of holding a staggering 70 stone.

Other purchases include 12 operating tables with a 70-stone capacity and 22 trolleys capable of taking 50 stone.

Each operating table cost £35,000, while the total bill for the trolleys came to £61,600.

Meanwhile, another £21,000 has been spent on specialist equipment for obese patients, including reinforced walking frames, weighing scales, chairs, hoists and commodes. City of York councillor Madeleine Kirk, who also sits on the hospital’s board of governors, said: “These figures do go to show the enormous strain the rise in obesity levels is having on the NHS. All of us need to do more to reverse this trend.

“But let’s be clear, everyone has the right to the same standard of health care from the NHS whatever their weight.

“This specialist equipment is vital to ensure that this happens, and is unlikely to cost the hospital any more than replacing the unsuitable equipment in the long run.” Standard hospital beds can hold 39 stone when raised, which includes the patient, mattress and the weight of nursing staff.

The new bariatric beds can hold more than 70 stone – equivalent to almost half a ton.

A spokesperson for York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “It is important that the hospital has facilities that are suitable for all of our patients.

“This means that we have needed to purchase some bariatric equipment to ensure that patients can be treated safely.

“Having this specialist equipment also helps to protect our staff from injuring themselves when treating or transporting bariatric patients.” Last week, The Press reported how obese and overweight patients were costing NHS North Yorkshire and York an estimated £186.6million every year, with that figure expected to rise to £207.1 million by the year 2015.