Doctor refuses patient because of smoking

[horseshoeing]

I hate it when you have to go back to the Dr to have him tell you what you test said. What a waste of time.

 

[RUBESH]

It is typical for doctors to urge patients to stop smoking before undergoing certain operations or treatments. Smoking is a substantial risk factor for a variety of health issues, including peripheral artery disease, which can lead to catastrophic consequences such as gangrene and amputation.

 

[Stardom22]

For me I think that it's very fair.The patients of this caliber must be responsible for their own bad habit

 

[magnus2022]

A smoker suffering from narrowed arteries in his legs has been told by surgeons to quit his habit before they will treat him. Frederick Smith was urged by his GP to visit a specialist about the potentially crippling condition, which could leave him in a wheelchair.

But he was stunned when vascular surgeon Andrew Lamerton said he wouldn't even see him until he kicked his 15-a-day habit for six months. Communicating only by letter, he told Mr Smith that smoking contributed to his condition, which would ease once he gave up.

The policy was supported by bosses at Lincoln County Hospital, who said it would help relieve pressure on their out-patient department. But the 60-year-old now fears he could lose a leg.

The decision comes in the wake of guidance issued by the Health Service drugs rationing body ten days ago to deny patients treatment on the grounds on their lifestyles. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence suggested they could be refused help if 'self-inflicted causes' of a condition would make treatment ineffective.

And last week, in a landmark judgment, a High Court judge ruled that tobacco smokers are 'negligent' and must take responsibility for damaging their own health.

Sourced from here.

What do you think? Is this fair?

I think is not fair! Sometimes, it is not possible to stop a habit you have practiced for 5 or more years. The doctor suppose try other options. In medicine, there is always alternative. He would have use antabuse to stop him from smoking.

 

[cherry123]

the doc refused to take money :wtf





well, its better to stop smoking in any event.

Yes it is not good to smoke so I think the doctor is trying to teach that patient a lesson which ge needs to pay attention to

 

[Shawn]

In my opinion, yes.

Doctors should be able to refuse anyone for any illness, lifestyle, and so on. But with that being said, we should be able to choose Doctors outside of the network if refused.

I'm an ex-smoker. I made that choice to smoke. I reap what I sew because of that.

 

[Nomad]

I do not think the doctor has a moral rights to refuse any patients, for what ever reason. Doctors are not moral police, they are not priests. They are just professionals doing their job

 

[Urvashi]

A doctor might refuse elective treatments if smoking compromises success, like in surgery or fertility treatments. Morally, I believe refusal should be balanced with patient care, offering support to quit rather than outright denial seems more ethical and compassionate.

 

[eldavis]

I don't see anything wrong with this though, for them to be able to treat him, he needs to stop smoking. If his smoking would affect the treatment, no need going along with it.