Eli Lilly and Company and Slimming World provided sponsorship funding to support the creation of the ICS Weight Management Services Hub and have had no input into the organisation or content of this website.

North East and North Cumbria

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Question 1

Yes. The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme supports adults living with obesity who also have a diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension or both, to manage their weight and improve their health.

It is a 12-week online behavioural and lifestyle programme that people can access via a smartphone or computer with internet access.

Weight loss drugs

Tirzepatide will only be offered to people who have the highest clinical need, this means those whose health is most affected by obesity and who are likely to benefit the most.

To be considered for this treatment, an individual must:

  • Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more, and

  • Have at least four of the following health conditions:

    • High blood pressure

    • High cholesterol or high fat levels in the blood

    • Sleep apnoea (trouble breathing while asleep)

    • Heart disease

    • Type 2 diabetes

  • They will need a full clinical assessment.

  • Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) will only be given as part of a full NHS care plan. This includes referral to wrap around care programme to support with healthy eating and lifestyle changes.

  • Other NHS weight management services are still available and may be more suitable.

Question 2

Referral to Tier 3 services:

By IMD Deciles

  • unknown - 784

  • 1 - 1020

  • 2 - 702

  • 3 - 580

  • 4 - 522

  • 5 - 331

  • 6 - 337

  • 7 - 345

  • 8 - 313

  • 9 - 332

  • 10 - 240

By age:

  • 20s - 550

  • 30s - 1163

  • 40s - 1242

  • 50s - 1372

  • 60s - 876

  • 70s - 259

Question 3

Specialist weight management services (non-surgical and surgical) are provided by trusts delivered in the community and from hospitals. NENC ICB is currently undergoing consultation to determine its structure for strategic commissioning and neighbourhood delivery models. The ICB is working with a Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria submitted bid to the national 'Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme' under strand 3.

Question 4

The healthier and fairer service development funding for the tier 3 specialised weight management service is £950,000. this is split across 4 foundation trusts (FTs): Northumbria Healthcare NHS FT, the Newcastle-upon Tyne Hospitals NHS FT, North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS FT and South Tees Hospitals NHS FT.

The ICB is currently undergoing consultation to determine its structure for strategic commissioning and neighbourhood delivery models.