Health officials in Northern Ireland have given the go ahead for the first regional obesity management service to support the roll out of weight-loss medication in the community.
The service will involve GPs alongside nurses, dieticians, psychologists, pharmacists, social prescribers and occupational therapy.
However, the BMA warned that with much of the work likely to fall on an already stretched general practice, it will need to be ‘adequately funded’.
A phased roll out of weight loss medication will be offered in line with NICE guidance, health minister Mike Nesbitt said.
He said: ‘Obesity is a significant public health issue in Northern Ireland, with 65% of adults and 26% of children living with obesity or overweight.
‘As I have repeatedly emphasised, my ambition is to shift our health’s service focus from treating ill people to helping them stay healthy.’
He added that establishing the service would bring Northern Ireland into line with other parts of the UK.
A public consultation on the service highlighted the importance of addressing health inequalities, promoting community engagement, and ensuring equitable access to resources and support for marginalised populations, the NI Department of Health said.
It follows the imposition of the GMS contract for 2025/26 on GP practices for the first time in Northern Ireland, after the offer was rejected by the BMA.
BMA Northern Ireland council chair Dr Alan Stout said: ‘This is welcome news. Targeted intervention is key to tackling obesity as it causes significant additional health issues for those who struggle with their weight.
‘An obesity management service will have the potential to help make life-changing, long-term health gains for these patients and, most importantly, free up an enormous amount of resource for health services in the future.
‘However, a significant amount of work involved in delivering this service will likely fall on general practice which, as we have made clear this week with the imposition of the GMS contract, is dangerously under resourced to deliver day-to-day services as it stands.
‘GPs are already flooded with queries from those who are obtaining weight loss medication privately. If the minister wants to shift the delivery of health services left, it is vital to adequately fund general practice to ensure this shift is successful.’
Phased roll out plans from NHS England are due to start in June with GPs able to prescribe tirzepatide (Mounjaro) to the first priority cohort who have a BMI of 40 or higher and more than four other comorbidities such as hypertension or diabetes.
would it not be simpler just to ban shops from selling food and drink, so people have to go to France to eat and drink, and won’t then be fat in the UK?