Thousands of NHS patients could see their treatment changing as a “cutting-edge” programme begins
The Government and pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, the creator of weight loss drug Mounjaro, are teaming up to explore and trial innovative solutions to the UK’s obesity crisis, inviting NHS organisations to put forward fresh proposals.
Announced on 12 August, this new health innovation scheme is supported by a hefty investment of up to £50million from the government and an additional £35million in grant funding from Lilly. A cool £10million has been set aside specifically to back proposals in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
NHS bodies will be able to apply for part of this funding by proposing inventive approaches to caring for those battling obesity, beyond the current weight management services. The programme will also seek out novel methods of delivering obesity care that can be accessed by patients from all walks of life such as through pharmacies or online.
Currently, the NHS provides a variety of services to assist people in managing their obesity, including prescription weight loss medication like Mounjaro and the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme. This is a 12-week online course offering dietary and activity guidance to support people transitioning to a healthier lifestyle.
Approximately 28% of UK adults are categorised as obese according to a Healthy Survey for England. Alarmingly, about one in three children leaving primary school are overweight or living with obesity, as per the National Child Measurement Programme.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “New ways of accessing support to tackle obesity, such as through pharmacies or with help from digital tools, could be transformational for people’s quality of life, and for society. Allowing individuals to more easily manage their weight and freeing them from ill-health that holds them back in daily life while reducing the strain on our NHS.”
NHS England national medical director Dr Claire Fuller said: “Obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges we face and costs the NHS billions of pounds every year, so this collaboration between government and industry to drive new ways of supporting people with obesity could make a huge difference.
“The NHS is already developing and rolling out a range of ways to help people to manage their weight and live healthier lives, with patients benefiting from wraparound care from local weight management teams and via online support services, but we are excited by the potential of this collaboration to accelerate efforts to tackle obesity as the NHS moves from treatment to prevention as part of the 10-Year Health Plan.”
In certain areas , patients might begin utilising these ground-breaking services as soon as summer 2026. Eligibility for the programmes will be determined by local healthcare professionals in accordance with national guidelines and NHS standards.
This fresh initiative aims to make it simpler for people battling obesity to obtain comprehensive, wraparound support via various channels. This should enhance patient outcomes and experiences whilst also reducing strain on the NHS and GPs, the Government claims.
This marks the most recent scheme ministers have unveiled to combat obesity. Earlier interventions include curbs on unhealthy food marketing designed to prevent obesity from developing in the first place.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Obesity is now one of the leading causes of ill health, costing the NHS billions. Yet, we now have the science, technology and knowledge to help tackle the obesity epidemic, if we seize this opportunity.
“This collaboration will help patients living with obesity in a matter of months – through testing better access to weight loss services and treatments. In the long-term it will inform how we can better tackle one of the biggest modern day health challenges and, through our Plan for Change, create an NHS that is fit for the future.”
Professor Rachel Batterham, Senior Vice President for International Medical Affairs at Lilly stated: “The launch of this programme marks an important milestone in advancing new models of care for obesity. At Lilly, we are deeply committed to addressing the complex health challenge of obesity, and we are pleased to collaborate with the UK government and NHS partners. Together, we aim to build an evidence base that could transform health outcomes for people living with obesity.”