Please note: There is currently a waiting list of 6 months for Tier 3 weight management services.
Healthy You Tier 3 weight management service is a specialist service for patients with severe and complex obesity, providing an intensive level of support to patients through a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach.
It is a service for obese individuals who have not responded to previous interventions and patients are supported by a multi-disciplinary team of specialists including a specialist dietitian, psychologist, nurse prescriber, nutritionist and physical activity specialist.
Healthy You provide two different specialist Tier 3 weight management services. Each programme offers weight management and behaviour change support delivered by a multidisciplinary team and last for up to 12 months.
How I join the service?
You need to be referred by a health care professional, like a GP.
What happens next?
Once referred you will be contacted for screening, the current waiting list for screening is 6 months.
Update on Specialist Weight Loss Injections (Tirzepatide/Mounjaro®) in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved Tirzepatide and Semaglutide, two medications, for the management of overweight and obesity. The NHS is now rolling out these medications for people who meet the eligibility criteria, starting with people who are at highest risk of ill health, or who are experiencing the most severe ill health due to living with obesity.
These individuals are being prioritised because the NHS does not have the services or existing resources to manage the number of people who could potentially be eligible for weight management medications. This means not everyone who wishes to use these medications, and meets the criteria, will be able to access them immediately.
In the first phase of the roll-out of weight management medications (between now and April 2026), people with a BMI of 40 or above (or 37.5 for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds), and with four out of the following diagnosed health conditions will be prioritised:
· Type 2 diabetes
· High blood pressure
· Heart diseases
· Obstructive sleep apnoea
· Abnormal blood fats
Please be aware that these medications are only prescribed as part of a comprehensive support package. If you are eligible, you must also commit to a dedicated lifestyle support programme to help you make lasting changes.
If you do NOT meet all the criteria above, please do not contact your GP practice to ask for these new injections. They are following strict NHS guidance and will not be able to prescribe them to you at this time.
If you would like to access support to help manage your weight, and feel you meet all the criteria listed above, please speak to your GP practice in first instance. If appropriate your GP will refer you to our weight management service. The weight management service will assess your needs and how they can best support you. Where people meet the eligibility criteria above, this may include the option of weight management medication.
The roll-out of weight management medications is being managed in phases. You may experience a long wait for medication due to the significant demand for these treatments.
NICE has indicated in its guidance that it could take up to 12 years to make tirzepatide available to everyone who could be eligible.
Further information on the treatments available for the management of overweight and obesity, including tirzepatide and semaglutide, can be found on the NHS website: Obesity – Treatment – NHS
Tirzepatide and semaglutide should not be taken by women, trans men and non-binary people who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you are prescribed this medication, please read the patient information leaflet provided within the box.
Tirzepatide and semaglutide may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraception. For further information please read The Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare Patient Information Leaflet: Patient-information-GLP-1-agonists-and-contraception.pdf
Support is Here For You Now
Managing your weight is a journey, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Healthy You provides a range of proven and effective services to help you achieve your goals, improve your health, and feel better.
These options are available to you today:
Free Slimming World Referrals: Access the supportive group environment of a leading weight-loss organisation, fully funded for 12 weeks. https://healthyyou.org.uk/join-slimming-world-for-12-weeks-for-free/
NHS Digital Weight Management Programme: A 12-week online programme for people living with obesity and diabetes or hypertension. NHS England » The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme
Health Trainers: Get personalised one-to-one support and coaching to help you make lasting changes. Health Trainer – Healthy You
These services are the foundation of successful long-term weight management and are an essential part of the support offered alongside any specialist medication. Further information are provided at Tier 2 Weight Management Programme – Healthy You
Thank you for your understanding
Tier 3 Treatment options:
The Tier 3 weight management programme without medication is available to eligible patients over 18 years with a BMI >40 or BMI 35 Kg/m2 with weight-related conditions (e.g. type 2, diabetes metabolic syndrome, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), functional disability, infertility and depression).
(Note: eligible BMI will be adjusted for ethnicity for people with a South Asian, Chinese, Other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family background)
Fresh Start Programme.
Our Tier 3 Fresh Start programme offers 12 fortnightly sessions consisting of nutrition workshops and physical activity sessions, alternate weeks will consist of an online health psychology course. Patients will be supported by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) that includes a Specialist Dietitian, Nutritionists, Health Psychologist, and Physical Activity Specialists.
The Fresh Start programme is designed to help participants to:
- achieve a clinically significant weight loss of at least 5%-10% using a reduced calorie approach.
- adopt a healthier and sustained approach to weight loss working on positive relationships with and enjoyment of food.
This will also assist in:
- improving mental health and general well-being
- reducing blood glucose levels
- increasing physical activity levels
- reducing risk of obesity-related health complications
- helping build healthy habits, achieving personal goals, and leading a healthier and happier lifestyle
What should I expect when I join the Fresh Start Programme?
All patients referred to the Fresh Start Programme will have a clinical assessment prior to any treatment beginning; this is designed to help gain a thorough understanding of a patient’s current lifestyle, health & any difficulties caused by their weight. This session will also include a physical activity questionnaire to ensure that the exercise element of the programme is suitable to participate in.
- Patients will join a 6-month, online group programme; which includes fortnightly nutrition workshops and activity sessions led by our Nutritionist and Physical Activity Specialist.
- On alternate weeks patients will receive our online health psychology course to work through at their own pace. This will help to address any underlying behaviours or habits that may be making it harder to put dietary and physical activity recommendations in place.
- The group sessions will be followed by a further 6 months of ongoing support. This will include monthly drop-in sessions with our team of experts and may include additional 1:1 support from our Dietitian or Health Psychologist.
A small number of eligible patients may be able to receive weight loss medication through the Fresh Start programme. These patients will need to have an initial appointment with our nurse and follow up appointments before receiving each prescription for the duration of their treatment.
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH)
The team based at Addenbrookes hospital are an experienced group of Doctors, Nurses, Dietitians and a Clinical Psychologist who have worked with in both the clinical and research field of Obesity for over a decade. Our strength is working with other specialist teams in tailoring your weight loss needs alongside your physical and mental health.
On attending our service, we start with a comprehensive assessment made up of baseline bloods, anthropometry, detailed history taking and psychometric questionnaires to ensure the right treatment path for you. Should further psychological support be of value we will provide suitable therapy for managing your mental health alongside weight loss or signpost you to external services depending on your needs.
We then offer the option of an intensive lifestyle programme (made up of a whole food, total or partial meal replacement approaches depending on your individual needs) or weight loss injections if you meet the national criteria.
If suitable, onwards referral for bariatric surgery will be considered as part of the national guidance.