Obesity service receives international recognition

London - Imperial College Healthcare has been named as an international centre of excellence for bariatric surgery.

The Imperial Weight Centre at Charing Cross Hospital has been awarded the prestigious designation by Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), which assesses the safety and quality of bariatric centres across the world.

Imperial is one of only two centres in the UK to meet SRC's rigorous assessment process for international designation.

Mr Ahmed Ahmed, consultant bariatric surgeon, said: "We are delighted to receive such prestigious international recognition. Being designated as a global centre of excellence is a testament to the quality of care and surgical success of the Imperial Weight Centre. We are at the forefront of developments in bariatric surgery and metabolic medicine."

The clinical team comprises a range of specialists including surgeons, physicians, psychiatrists, dieticians, anaesthetists and clinical nurse specialists who provide a completely holistic service to patients.

Services offered include lifestyle change support, pharmacotherapy and surgery such as gastric banding, gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and duodenal switch.

In 2008/09, the centre performed 211 bariatric operations and treated 198 patients through lifestyle change support and pharmacotherapy services.