LONDON, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A poll of British doctors found 40 percent believe the obese, smokers and those who drink too much should be excluded from certain clinical treatments.
The poll of 225 doctors for the British Medical Association News also found that 96 percent said they would welcome an open debate over the rationing of medical treatment in the National Health Service to clear up confusion, Sky News reported Friday.
Thirty-nine percent agreed with the decision by doctors in Suffolk County to deny joint surgery for the obese.
"We can try to act as gatekeepers and point out what patients can realistically expect," said Dr. Timothy Knight, who added that rationing was a political matter.
"But ultimately the person who says 'no' should be clearly representing the rationing authority -- that is not the general practitioner."
