In an unusual move to combat the growing problem of obesity in the UK, officials at the National Health Service (NHS) are now referring obese patients to zoos for treatment, saying that they are too bulky to fit into NHS equipment, reports the Mirror.

The tabloid learns that the NHS is splurging its obesity treatment budget by not using large beds and bigger wheelchairs that are typically required for patients with a hefty frame. So the authorities have issued a notice, asking doctors to refer their patients to zoos where horse scanners are available.

The move has been met with a skeptic humour by many healthcare staff, the Mirror observes. One, an elderly book-keeper at St Mary's Hospital, London, has posted a blog entry that reads: "Imagine the humiliation for the patient – 'I'm sorry, sir... we are going to send you to the zoo'".

"It's a sorry state of affairs", the Mirror quotes dietician Will Williams as saying. The dietician places emphasis on the unavailability of proper tools at various weight loss treatment facilities countrywide, expressing concern that the obesity crisis might soon reach a critical stage when it would be too difficult to control.

However, on a slightly positive note, the expert does not hesitate to mention that the authorities should take recourse to whatever they deem best to fight obesity in the UK.

According to the tabloid, the Royal Veterinary College on Friday, January 13 received a number of GP referrals for access to its CAT scanner, a custom-built obesity treatment equipment for weighing horses.