
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 18, 1993                   TAG: 9308180106
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: LONDON                                LENGTH: Short

BRITISH SMOKER, DENIED BYPASS SURGERY, DIES

Harry Elphick was denied bypass surgery after his first heart attack because he smoked 25 cigarettes a day. He kicked the habit, but before doctors could operate he had a second heart attack, this time fatal.

His widow said the surgery would have prevented his death. A pro-smoking group called the decision to refuse surgery "health fascism." But a cardiologist defended it Tuesday, saying smokers don't benefit from heart bypass surgery as much as nonsmokers.

Elphick's story has received wide coverage by all the major British media. His death has intensified the debate among doctors, smokers and officials about the ethics of treating people whose behavior harms their health - especially in tough economic times when the resources of Britain's National Health Service are strained.

Elphick, 47, was refused surgery in April by Dr. Colin Bray of Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, northern England. It's one of two British hospitals where doctors refuse to treat heavy smokers except in emergencies.

Elphick quit smoking, and Bray agreed to conduct pre-surgery tests this Thursday. But Elphick suffered a second, fatal, heart attack Friday. - Associated Press

Keywords:
FATALITY

by CNB