Treatment limits to cut NHS costs

Smokers and overweight people in Lincolnshire will be given lower priority for some treatments as part of measures to cut costs.

The county's NHS is struggling to claw back a multi-million pound debt.

Officials have said many treatments for non-life threatening conditions are not as effective on smokers or the obese.

Other plans put forward by the Primary Health Trusts include closing sexual health clinics for a year and making changes to the provision of IVF.

Age limit

It is thought these measures could save the health service up to £3m a year.

Treatments highlighted were breast reduction, hip replacements and hysterectomies.

It has been emphasised this move does not constitute a ban on these procedures, but each case will be dealt with individually.

The threshold for IVF fertility treatment will also be changed, so it will only be available to women under 35.

A 12-week consultation period on the plans has begun and the feedback will be published by the end of the year.