Irony? Or maybe not...
Last Updated: 2:01am BST 05/06/2007
# Compare your local hospital with the Telegraph guide
Smokers could be denied routine operations on the NHS unless they quit a month before surgery.
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Health managers are considering the move after research showed that smokers take longer to recover from surgery and are more prone to hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA.
Although emergency surgery would not be affected, smokers awaiting routine operations such as hip and knee replacements could be refused treatment until they kick the habit.
The proposals, which have been drawn up by Leicester City West Primary Care Trust, could be extended to other areas.
[...]
Nuttall's fear of getting MRSA again prevented him from getting his ankle fixed properly in the first place.
If it's a NHS policy that was properly vetted, as it apparently was, then Nuttall should do what it takes to quit. Nicotine is terribly addictive, but people quit every day.
Cheers,
Scott.
