Persistent use of body mass index policies as a barrier to surgery: Prevalence and analysis of policies across England in 2025

Kevin Ofosu, Katie Whale, Joanna McLaughlin, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, NIHR Bristol Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and University of Bristol

Journal of Health Services Research & Policy

Published online on December 01, 2025

Abstract

Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, Ahead of Print.
BackgroundIntegrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England are responsible for commissioning healthcare services and setting access policies for procedures such as hip and knee replacement surgery. While the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)...