VICTORIA'S obesity epidemic has hit new levels as Melbourne hospitals are forced to refer super-obese patients to a veterinary hospital for scans. 
 
In recent months two patients have been sent to the University of Melbourne's Veterinary Hospital in Werribee because none of the state's hospitals have human CT scanners large enough to accommodate them.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands that one patient was referred because they were heavier than the 220kg weight limit of hospital CT scanners, while a second had difficulty fitting into the equipment.

Instead, the patients were treated in a heavy-duty scanner usually used to examine horses.

The cases come as experts warn the health system has to adapt to cope with a 10-fold increase over 20 years in the number of super-obese Victorians, and obesity rates spiraling from 8 per cent to 25 per cent.

University of Melbourne spokesperson Nerissa Hannink confirmed there had been two occasions where hospitals had requested to use the Werribee facilities.

"The Department of Health granted permission for each scanning procedure," Ms Hannink said.

A working group guiding the Department of Health recommended hospitals providing weight-loss operations should have X-ray equipment and scales that have a minimum capacity of more than 150kg.

Department spokesman Bram Alexander said hospitals account for the need of larger patients when replacing equipment.

"Where a health service is unable to undertake the clinically required diagnostic imaging, the health service is able to contact the department for advice," Mr Alexander said.

Western Health executive director of operations Russell Harrison said the hospital and department could make special arrangements for patient imaging.

"Equipment at Western Health has a capacity limit of 220kg for CT scanning and 158kg for MRI. However, from 180kg upwards on CT, there may be table dysfunction," Mr Harrison said.

"Weight is not the only guiding parameter, as total patient girth may limit travel through the CT machine."

Royal Melbourne Hospital refused to comment on the transfers.

Prof John Dixon, head of Baker IDI institute's weight assessment and management clinic, said the number of super-obese patients had presented a challenge for the health system.

"The number in that category are not small anymore. They are not extraordinary. Every GP has patients like this and we need to adapt our health services," Prof Dixon said.

"All of our public hospitals are being overwhelmed by the people in this category, rather than it being a rare event."