Four-year wait for obesity surgery 

Just two centres in Ireland provide bariatric surgery to the public, which is leading to the long waiting lists. Picture: World Obesity Federation

The waiting list for a first appointment for potentially life-saving obesity surgery is now more than four years, it has emerged.

Helen Heneghan, professor of surgery and consultant bariatric surgeon at St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin, one of two centres in the country that provides bariatric surgery, has said a properly resourced obesity treatment programme is urgently needed.