Current Services and Support Available
A range of services are available to support a healthier lifestyle, though the options may differ depending on your location.
The Talk Community Directory within Herefordshire offers support to anyone wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle, including healthier eating habits, being more active and general wellbeing.
Healthy Worcestershire offers support to people looking to stay active, stay socially connected and improve their wellbeing. The Worcestershire Community Services Directory has a list of services and support offered by charities, community groups, businesses and other local organisations. More details on how to access services can be found on the Healthy Lifestyle Referrals | Worcestershire County Council webpage.
If you need more support with managing your weight, the services below are available by contacting your local practice, where a healthcare professional can advise and refer you to the most appropriate service:
The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme is designed to help adults (18+) living with obesity who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 30 (or 27.5 for people from black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds) and who also have a diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, or both. This 12-week online programme focuses on behavioural and lifestyle changes and can be accessed via a smartphone or computer with internet access.
The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme is a behaviour change programme that looks at the factors that are increasing a patient’s risk of Type 2 diabetes and developing a plan to make healthy lifestyle changes to lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
The Type 2 Diabetes Pathway to Remission Programme, provided by Oviva, is a 12-month behaviour change programme that provides a low calorie, total diet replacement treatment for people who are living with type 2 diabetes and are overweight.
We also recognise that some individuals may not qualify for weight loss medications, which may lead to disappointment or worsen existing mental health and wellbeing concerns.
For many NHS talking therapies may provide valuable support, as well as local support through Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care Trust.
Weight Loss Injections
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a Technology Appraisal Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity (TA1026).
This Technology Appraisal recommends tirzepatide, also called Mounjaro®, as an option for managing overweight and obesity. Tirzepatide is to be used at the same time as eating fewer calories and increasing physical activity for adults. Unlike other weight loss medicines, it will be prescribable by doctors in local GP practices. However, patients will still need extra support, known as ‘wrap around care’, to help them make long-term changes to their lifestyle to maintain a healthy weight. Lifestyle changes and good habits make the biggest difference in staying at a healthy weight.
National guidance has been shared to help the NHS provide tirzepatide for weight management. These guidelines explain that tirzepatide will be offered to limited groups of patients based on eligibility criteria, in stages over the next few years. This means that not all patients will be able to receive tirzepatide at this time.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB understand that there are many people who would like to use this medication as soon as possible, but we are required to follow the national plan. We ask for your patience as we work with local GP practices on how tirzepatide will be introduced and the best way to do this.
Please do not contact your GP practice to ask for tirzepatide for weight loss at this time. GP practices are very busy and handling extra enquiries will take up time that could be used for patient appointments. Once a local plan is agreed, access to the medication for patients who are eligible will made be available.
A series of Frequently Asked Questions will be posted on this page soon, which will provide more information. The ICB will use this webpage to share any updates on weight management services.
We plan to provide a further update by the end of June 2025.
NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire is dedicated to improving access to services that help individuals maintain their health and prevent long-term health conditions. Updated information will be published in the coming months.
For further details on obesity treatment, please visit the NHS website.
