Weight management and Mounjaro

Highfield Surgery are currently receiving a significant increase in the numbers of patients requesting help with weight management, specifically Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) injections.

The new weight management medication, Tirzepatide (brand name Mounjaro®), has been advertised to be available to NHS patients nationally from 23 June 2025. In Lancashire and South Cumbria, while some people may currently qualify for the medication based on national eligibility criteria, it will not be available locally just yet. Please do not contact your GP as they are currently unable to help.

We will update our website, and contact those who are eligible, when we are able to prescribe this medication

The British Heart Foundation has some useful information on their website regarding weight loss injectables and the different types: Weight-loss injections explained – BHF

When Mounjaro is made available, the following groups will be eligible:

Cohort 1 – start from 23rd June 2025

• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) or 40 kg/m² or more (or 37.5 kg/m² for people from minority ethnic family backgrounds) And have at least four of the following long-term conditions:
• Non-diabetic hyperglycemia OR type 2 diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Dyslipidemia (abnormal blood fats)
• Established cardiovascular disease (heart disease)
• Obstructive sleep apnoea (formally diagnosed)

 

Cohort 2 – start from 23rd June 2026

• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 – 39.9*.  And have at least four of the five health conditions below:
• Non-diabetic hyperglycemia OR type 2 diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Dyslipidemia (abnormal blood fats)
• Established cardiovascular disease (heart disease)
• Obstructive sleep apnoea (formally diagnosed)

 

Cohort 3 – start from 1st April 2027

• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 40*.  And have at least 3 of the 5 health conditions below:
• Non-diabetic hyperglycemia OR type 2 diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Dyslipidemia (abnormal blood fats)
• Established cardiovascular disease (heart disease)
• Obstructive sleep apnoea (formally diagnosed)

*Due to an increased risk of health conditions at lower BMI thresholds in these populations, the BMI applied to assess eligibility for Tirzepatide must be adjusted by 2.5 kg/m2 in people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds to ensure equitable clinical prioritisation and access to appropriate treatment.

Specialist weight management service

The team includes dietitians, assistant practitioners, occupational therapists, psychologists and a specialist consultant, the aim is to help people with their weight and health issues.

The criteria for a referral to this team is having a BMI > 40 (more than 37.5 for BAME) and four or more of the following conditions:

• Hypertension
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Type 2 diabetes
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Dyslipidemia
• Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
• Non-diabetic hyperglycemia

If you believe you are eligible for a referral to this service, please ask reception to request this via our nursing team (we will need you to provide an up to date height, weight & BMI & we may need to call you in for additional checks (blood tests, blood pressure etc) depending on the information held within your medical records.

Oviva referrals

This is a service that patients can be referred to which provides weight loss injections.  Patients need to complete the questionnaire themselves on their website to see if they are eligible then request the surgery to refer them to the service.

Please note, we will be unable to provide investigations for the referral to this provider.  The ICB has not yet made a decision for us to be able to complete these investigations for this provider.  Investigations could be:  blood tests, height, weight and BP.

 

 

Digital weight management service

The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme supports adults living with obesity (BMI>30) 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.

If you believe you are eligible for this service then you can request a referral via reception.

 

Active Blackpool

This is a scheme to help improve activity which would help with weight loss. It offers access to exercise programmes (although it is not free) and is a self referral.

 

Health and wellbeing workers

Health and wellbeing workers can provide advice about healthy lifestyles including how to manage a healthy diet, the importance of exercise etc. Anyone can request a referral to their service.

 

Orlistat

This medication can be prescribed by the surgery for patients with a BMI >30 (or >28 with other health conditions eg diabetes).  It works by reducing the amount of fat your body can absorb from your diet.

If this is something you are interested in discussing, please book a telephone consultation with one of our pharmacist (you will also need an HCA appointment for a pre start weight).