Important update on NHS Specialist Weight Management Services

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Updated 20 September

NHS Specialist Weight Management Services are provided by Oviva in Mid Essex and by Morelife in Basildon and Brentwood, Castle Point and Rochford, and Southend.

In 2023 referrals into these services more than doubled, leading to the waiting list growing significantly and exceeding the number of NHS places available to our patients.

In January 2024, NHS Mid and South Essex made the decision to temporarily pause referrals into the service in order to review patient demand and how services are being accessed. This was done to make an informed decision about the best way forward to ensure that the service remains available for those with the greatest clinical need, and to reduce the length of time patients are on the waiting list.

More information on the outcome of this review will be available in due course.

NHS Mid and South Essex will be undertaking a procurement process for a new Tier 3 weight management service provider which is expected to be in place from 1^st April 2025. New referrals into the service will re-open once implementation plans are agreed with the new provider. Until then, the two current service providers will be working through the existing waiting list.

What this means for residents

If you are currently on the waiting list for one of these services you should have received a letter earlier this year, which included information on alternative programmes that can be used for support and advice whilst waiting. Those on the waiting list will be contacted again shortly.

If you are looking for support in achieving a healthy weight, there are several alternative weight management programmes available to you in your area. We would recommend you explore an option you haven’t used before. Often people have to try more than one weight loss programme before they find one that best suits them.

Access to weight loss medication(s)

Recently we have received a number of enquiries about accessing the weight loss drug called Wegovy™. In mid and south Essex, and in line with NICE guidance, this drug is only available through specialist Tier 3 weight management services. It is not available via GPs or Tier 2 weight management services.