Help with weight management
Highfield Surgery are currently receiving a significant increase in the numbers of patients requesting help with weight management.
A lot of these requests seem to stem from the current interest & information in mainstream / social media regarding the use of GLP-1 injections, commonly called “weight loss injections” eg Ozempic, mounjaro etc.
Currently GPs are unable to prescribe these injections and so we have provided this leaflet to help signpost our patients to the NHS / local council services that are available to them.
There is useful information on weight loss on the NHS website Obesity – NHS
Specialist weight management service
Currently this is the only service allowed to prescribe the GLP-1 injections or to refer for bariatric surgery (eg gastric sleeve etc).
The team includes dietitians, assistant practitioners, occupational therapists, psychologists and a specialist consultant, our aim is to help people with their weight and health issues.
The criteria for a referral to this team is having a BMI > 40, or having a BMI > 35 with obesity related health problems.
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.
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).
Mounjaro
NHS GP’s cannot currently prescribe Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight loss primarily because the medication has not yet been approved by the relevant regulatory authorities in the UK for this specific use.
Mounjaro is currently licensed in the UK for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, not for weight loss. Whilst it has shown significant weight-loss effects in clinical trials, the drug must also undergo additional evaluations to receive approval for obesity management.
Highfield surgery cannot provide Mounjaro for weight loss at this present time.
