A 22-stone ex-policeman has been told he can have a ‘life-saving’ gastric bypass built around his local McDonalds, despite losing a legal case after being rejected for it previously. Staffordshire man Geoff Pennington claimed he needed the bypass after becoming morbidly obese from regular consumption of Big Mac Happy Meals - with extra nuggets.
Originally, NHS North Staffordshire Primary Care Trust said his body mass index (BMI) of 43 was below its usual criteria of 50: the minimum figure required before planning permission for a fast-food outlet bypass is agreed. In July, Court of Appeal judges rejected a bid to force the trust to operate, but it has now agreed to do so after receiving a second ‘individual funding request’ (IFR) on 10 August to fund the 62-year-old’s request for a gastric re-route.
‘The request and the new supporting medical evidence was thoroughly examined by our Highways Department,’ said a PCT spokesman. ‘Mr Pennington’s clinical circumstances were found to be exceptional as he has to drive past the outlet in question in his mobility scooter every day.’
I order to build the bypass, a grade II listed building, child’s playground and the headquarters of the NHS North Staffordshire Primary Care Trust will have to be demolished, but experts agree that this will be a small price to pay for Pennington’s wellbeing. ‘This proves conclusively that we treat such cases seriously, and with care and compassion. Mr. Pennington’s health and dignity are at stake – plus if it stops him thundering down the street and rattling the chimneys then all the better.’
Pennington has spoken of his delight at the decision: ‘this is fantastic news – I can look forward with getting on with my life without the spectre of three McChicken Sandwiches a day looming over me. I can finally go about my daily business without being drawn into that accursed place and make my way to the chip shop unhindered.’
