NHS England » How to access the programme (2024)

The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme could help you if you are living with obesity andalso have diabetes, high blood pressure, or both. If this is you, you could benefit from this 12-weekprogramme. It’s free and easily available via a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

How to start the programme

To start your journey to a healthier lifestyle, you need to speak to your GP or a local pharmacist who can refer you to the programme.

Please note that GP and pharmacy teams may be very busy at this time.

You can read more about the programme in our leaflet or watch this video:

Who can be referred to the programme?

  • You must be 18 or over.
  • You must have a BMI greater than 30. The BMI threshold will be lowered to 27.5 for people from black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds, as we know people from these ethnic backgrounds are at an increased risk of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes at a lower BMI.
  • You must have diabetes, high blood pressure, or both.
  • You must have a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access.

Speak to your GP practice or local pharmacist today to findout how the programme could benefit you.

If you do not have diabetes or high blood pressure, you may still benefit from the NHS Better Health programme.

This animated video explains what people, who have enrolled on to the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme, can expect from the 12 week programme and how they can make the most of their time on it.

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NHS England » How to access the programme (2024)

FAQs

Is the NHS digital weight management programme free? ›

NHS Digital Weight Management Programme

If you are living with obesity and have diabetes, high blood pressure or both, you may be eligible to join a free, 12-week online plan to help manage your weight and improve your health.

What is the NHS England Improvement Programme? ›

The General Practice Improvement Programme helps practices implement modern general practice and realise benefits quickly. The objectives of the improvement programme are to support practices to: better align capacity with demand. improve the working environment for staff.

How to get 12 weeks free with Slimming World? ›

The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme launched across England from July 2021 and is a free 12-week programme providing online weight management plans for those who want to make changes to their health, have a BMI of 30+, or 27.5+ for Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups who are at an increased risk of ...

Is the NHS Weight Loss Plan app free? ›

The free NHS Better Health app can provide you with all the information you need to start making changes in a healthy and, most importantly, achievable way. The app can help you make healthier food choices, set weight loss goals (if that's your aim), and allow you to get more active and burn more calories.

How do you get Wegovy on the NHS? ›

To get Wegovy on the NHS, eligible adults would need a referral to an NHS specialist weight management service. This referral would usually be made by a GP.

What are the free NHS weight loss injections? ›

Wegovy is one of two weight loss injections available on the NHS, the other being Saxenda (liraglutide). It is only available through specialist weight management clinics. Your GP can refer you to a clinic if Wegovy could be suitable for you.

What is the difference between NHS England and NHS Improvement? ›

From 1 April 2016, NHS Improvement was the operational name for an organisation that brought together Monitor, NHS Trust Development Authority, Patient Safety (from NHS England), National Reporting and Learning System, Advancing Change Team and Intensive Support Teams.

What is the NHS England Starting Well Programme? ›

Starting Well Core is a commissioning approach which aims to reduce oral health inequalities and improve oral health for children aged 0-2 years through: Increasing dental access and attendance for children aged 0-2 years.

Does NHS England and Improvement still exist? ›

NHS England and NHS Improvement merged into NHS England | NHS Commercial Solutions.

Who qualifies for a NHS Slimming World referral? ›

You must be 18 or over. You must have a BMI greater than 30. The BMI threshold will be lowered to 27.5 for people from black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds, as we know people from these ethnic backgrounds are at an increased risk of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes at a lower BMI.

Is Ozempic on the NHS for weight loss? ›

The Ozempic drug, however, can only be prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes, and isn't licensed as a weight-loss drug in the UK or the US, although the UK government acknowledges: “It is not authorised for weight-loss, but it is used off-label for that purpose.”

Do doctors recommend Slimming World? ›

Many bodies are now using Slimming World on Referral to offer a weight loss management programme to a particular patient group e.g. people with diabetes, expectant mothers, patients identified as being at risk of developing heart disease / kidney disease / stroke or type 2 diabetes.

Who is eligible for the NHS weight loss program? ›

Welcome to our 12 week weight management programme. This programme has been designed for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above, who want to be a healthier weight. You shouldn't follow this programme if you're under 18 years of age, pregnant or in a healthy weight range.

Is the NHS Weight Loss Plan any good? ›

An evaluation of the NHS digital weight management programme shows that people who completed it lost 3.9 kg over 12 weeks. When everyone who started the scheme but did not finish it were included, the average weight loss was 2.2 kg.

How to get rid of belly fat in NHS? ›

Things you can do to lose weight
  1. get active for 150 minutes a week – you can break this up into shorter sessions.
  2. aim to get your 5 A Day – 80g of fresh, canned or frozen fruit or vegetables count as 1 portion.
  3. aim to lose 1 to 2lbs, or 0.5 to 1kg, a week.

Is NHS training free? ›

Staff working in the NHS can access hundreds of fully funded courses to gain a Level 3 qualification. The government offers free courses across various sectors for individuals to gain a Level 3 qualification.

Will NHS pay for weight loss? ›

Weight loss surgery may be available on the NHS if: you have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. you have a BMI between 35 and 40 and a condition that might improve if you lost weight – these include high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, breathing problems and asthma.

Are NHS apps free? ›

It's free on iPhone and Android, and allows you to easily set up an account, which lets you access a range of services, from viewing your health information securely to ordering repeat prescriptions and having them sent to your pharmacy.

Is there a free weight loss program? ›

The best free weight loss apps on our list are Fooducate, Lose It!, and Zero. Each offers valuable features in their free versions: Fooducate provides a unique food grading system, helping users make choices that are healthier for them.

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