1.    Does Lincolnshire ICB have an obesity treatment pathway for patients, and please could you share a copy of this policy?

The ICB does not hold a specific obesity treatment pathway for patients, however, this forms part of the Joint Forward Plan, which addresses a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach. The Joint Forward Plan can be found on the Lincolnshire ICB’s website – please see the link below:

 www.lincolnshire.icb.nhs.uk/about-us/strategies-and-plans

The following objectives have been agreed:

• Reduce Obesity Rates: Aim to lower the prevalence of obesity among adults and children in Lincolnshire: increase % of adults on obesity register accessing healthy lifestyle offer from 5% to 10% by 2028.

• Improve health outcomes: Enhance the overall health and wellbeing of residents by reducing obesity-related health conditions.

• Promote healthy lifestyles: Encourage healthy eating, physical activity, and behavioural changes to prevent and manage obesity.

The following strategies have been taken:

• Community-Based Services:

  One You Lincolnshire: Offer tailored weight loss programmes.

  NHS Digital Weight Management Programme: Support adults with obesity and comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension.

• Integrated Care Approach:

  NHS Lincolnshire ICB are adopting an integrated care approach in alignment with the NICE guidance (TA1026) for the development and implementation of Tirzepatide across both primary and secondary care settings in Lincolnshire for the fiscal year 2025/2026. We are currently awaiting the commissioning guidance from NHS England to further advance this initiative.

  Healthy Weight Partnership: which has been set up by the Joint Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board to provide system leadership and take a whole system approach for the Healthy Weight priority of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy: www.lincolnshire.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s60986/06B%20Joint%20Health%20and%20Wellbeing%20Strategy.pdf (pgs. 78 – 79)

  Shared Care Model: Initiate prescribing in Tier 3 Specialist Weight Management Services and Primary Care.

  We are also developing communications and messages to the public, primary care, and stakeholders to keep them informed of tier 3 weight management service via Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which will be shared via relevant forums and will be added to the ICB website.

  Wrap-Around Care: Provide comprehensive support, including diet, exercise, and mental health services, to ensure holistic care.

• Policy and Guidelines:

  NICE Guidance: Align with NICE recommendations for weight management and obesity treatment, including the use of Tirzepatide for eligible patients.

  Local Policies: Implement and adhere to local policies such as the Prior Approval Policy: www.lincolnshire.icb.nhs.uk/documents/our-policies-and-procedures/clinical-governance/cg-003-prior-approval-policy/?layout=file pages 70 – 73 are specifically referenced to obesity.

• Education and Awareness:

  Public Health Campaigns: Conduct awareness campaigns to educate residents about the risks of obesity and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

  School Programmes: Implement programmes in schools to promote healthy eating and physical activity among children.

• Monitoring and Evaluation:

  Data Collection: Regularly collect and analyse data on obesity rates and the effectiveness of interventions.

  Continuous Improvement: Use data to refine and improve obesity management strategies over time.
  

2.    If Lincolnshire ICB ICS does not currently have an obesity treatment pathway, has Hertfordshire and West Essex ICS held meetings regarding the development of an obesity strategy and:

Please see response to Question 1 where details have been shared regarding development of treatment pathways in accordance with NICE and Lincolnshire local policies.

a.    Please could you share the minutes related to these meetings?

Not applicable

b.    Please could you share an anticipated timeline for development, delivery and implementation of an obesity treatment pathway at Lincolnshire ICB?

The ICB is working in line with NHS England (NHSE) requests:

1.    24th March 2025 to have Tirzepatide in Specialist Weight Management Services (SWMS).

2.    23rd June 2025 to provide Tirzepatide in primary care settings.

LICB is reviewing options for a localised Tier 3 weight management service.

This will be carried out in our Clinical Weight Management Reference Group which is being formed.

3.    Which individual Lincolnshire ICB holds the senior responsible officer role for the development, delivery and implementation of an obesity treatment pathway at Hertfordshire and West Essex ICS?

Sandra Williamson - Director for Health Inequalities and Regional Collaboration is Lincolnshire ICB’s Senior Responsible Officer.