NHS Lothian and NHS Lanarkshire are amongst 12 health authorities across the UK to be awarded funding as part of a programme to involve thousands of people in initiatives aimed at finding the most effective ways to tackle obesity. Between them, the two boards will invest £16 million in weight management services and digital support tools.

The UK Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP) projects are set to receive combined grant funding of £50 million from the UK government and £35 million from pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company.

The Scottish Health Survey shows over 500,000 people in Scotland are living with a BMI above 35, while there has been a 40% rise in people with type 2 diabetes over the past decade. The impacts of obesity – which, as well as diabetes, include cardiovascular disease, hypertension, asthma and poorer cancer outcomes – disproportionately impact people living in more deprived communities.

The Chair of the UK government’s Obesity Mission, University of Glasgow Professor of Metabolic Medicine, Naveed Sattar is welcoming the variety of initiatives selected:

“It is very encouraging to see investment in these projects, given the urgent need for the NHS to develop better ways of supporting the many people affected by obesity and its complications.

“Each project brings distinct strengths and will explore innovative approaches to care, with the most successful strategies likely to shape future obesity services across the UK.”

Lothian

NHS Lothian has been awarded funding to develop a new weight management support programme in collaboration with Defence Medical Command (DMedC), the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) and Edinburgh Napier University.  

The two arms of the LIMITLESS STRIDE programme will provide access to weight management support for up to 10,000 people in Lothian and many more serving in the armed forces worldwide.

LIMITLESS will provide immediate access to information, advice, professional assessment and treatment, including obesity medicines if clinically appropriate, using the existing NHS Scotland health app. Meanwhile, STRIDE, a partnership with the DMedC, will provide a flexible pathway designed to support the armed forces community consistently through moves to new places and deployment, using a combination of virtual support and in-person exercise interventions.

The Medical Director for NHS Lothian, Dr Tracey Gillies says the funding will expand the numbers who can be supported with their weight management:

“This innovative new programme has the potential to transform weight management care by using the latest technology to develop a sustainable model.  

“LIMITLESS and STRIDE aim to set the standard for weight management across Scotland and beyond. They will play a crucial role in defining future models of care, reducing waiting times and ensuring faster access to safe, person-centred care for people living with obesity.”

Chief of Defence Medical, Air Marshal Claire Walton says the aim is to provide faster, more flexible and accessible support for armed forces personnel wherever they are:

“Our patients and healthcare teams will be at the forefront of evaluation opportunities in this fast-moving area of medicine. Working together, LIMITLESS STRIDE will provide faster access to tailored weight management care, including digital support, psychological screening, rehabilitation and fitness assessment. This will help armed forces personnel improve their health, maintain operational fitness and remain ready to deploy.”

Lanarkshire

In Lanarkshire the new funding will kickstart NHS Lanarkshire Healthy Lifestyle and Weight Management Service’s development of a programme to improve access to weight management initiatives and help more people to manage their health closer to home.

A series of self-management tools, including personalised dietary advice, physical activity information and behaviour change guidance, will be available to patients on their phones and computers on a new digital platform, co-designed with patients and clinicians.

Working closely with community organisations, leisure services and third sector partners, the programme will be developed over the next three years to help ensure support is available where people need it most.

NHS Lanarkshire’s Head of Service Transformation & Change for weight management, Jonathan Cavana, says he hopes people across Scotland can ultimately benefit from the programme:

“Our new digital platform will be co-designed with patients and healthcare professionals, making a wide range of weight management tools more accessible across Lanarkshire. Initially launched locally, the platform will have the potential to expand across Scotland and will be designed to adapt and evolve in response to changing public health needs.”

NHS Lanarkshire’s Director of Pharmacy, Graeme Bryson says prescribing will play a part for some people:

“OPIP will also allow us to widen our reach of prescribing anti-obesity medication, although this continues to follow necessary criteria for treatment, alongside lifestyle support.

“This new approach will be both exciting and challenging as we further help people to manage their healthcare more effectively and reduce the impact of obesity on individuals, families and communities across Lanarkshire.”

Scotland’s Public Health Minister, Maree Todd welcomed the successful applications by NHS Lothian and NHS Lanarkshire:

“This funding will drive real innovation in the treatment of obesity in Scotland and ensure that people will receive care and weight management support tailored to their individual needs.

“These projects build on all the work undertaken by health boards across the country, with Scottish government support, to develop safe and effective weight management services at national scale.”

 

Read more: Pharmacies campaign to lead weight loss service; Weight loss drugs linked to asthma improvements; Scots from poorer areas less likely to survive stroke

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