Increase in bariatric surgery compared to 2020

In 2021 so far there were 42 bariatric surgeries in St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH), Dublin and 18 bariatric surgeries in St Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire. During the same period (up until October) there were 13 bariatric procedures at University Hospital Galway (UHG).

Covid-19 has impacted the rates of all surgery according to a recent report published by the RCSI National Clinical Programme in Surgery (NCPS) which found that there were 17 per cent fewer emergency surgeries and 30 per cent fewer elective surgeries performed during the pandemic

In March the Medical Independent reported that in 2020 there were 30 bariatric surgeries in SVUH Dublin and 16 bariatric surgeries in St Michael’s Hospital, Dún Laoghaire. An Ireland East Hospital Group (IEHG) spokesperson told MI there were no scheduled bariatric admissions in SVUH between March and August 2020. Outside of Dublin, there were only three bariatric surgeries carried out in UHG last year.

March this year saw the launch of the new model of care for the management of overweight and obesity developed by the national clinician programme for obesity which is a partnership between the RCPI and the HSE.