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 physician, consultant or GP with Special Interest in obesity ; a specialist dietitian; psychologist and physical activity specialist.
Healthy You provide three 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 18 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 2 months.
Update on weight loss medication for new and current Fresh Start patients
Limited quantities of medication are available through all Tier 3 services (Fresh Start (Everyone Health), Morelife and Addenbrookes (CUH).
There is high demand for the weight loss medication Wegovy™ (Semaglutide) in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, we are pleased that we are now able to offer this pathway to a small number of patients each month. We will be working to offer patients weight loss medication to those who are eligible. Please note that we are working through a significant waiting list and will contact you when we are able to offer this option. We are not able to reply to individual requests for waiting times but will publish any significant updates on this website.
Please note the following:
- Patients can only be prescribed Wegovy™ through Tier 3 Weight Management Services and only if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Patients cannot access any medication through Tier 2 weight management services.
- There is a very limited local supply so not all Tier 3 patients will be offered Wegovy™.
- Patients who may be offered Wegovy™ will likely experience a significant wait due to high demand, we will contact you when we are able to offer you medication if you would like to consider this option. We appreciate your understanding and patience.
- Patients participating in the medication pathway will be expected to take full advantage of the core support available through the service. This includes dietary advice, access to physical activity sessions, support from a health psychologist and more in order to receive medication.
- Evidence shows that the medication is only effective in conjunction with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- You will be able to access support sooner if you choose to participate in the Tier 3 weight management programme without medication.
Tier 3 Treatment options:
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.
Morelife programme.
Our psychological informed programme covers topics such as mindful eating and self-care but also provides practical support on increasing physical activity, a balanced diet and food labelling.
We’ll help you better understand your relationship with food and provide you with the knowledge and support you need.
Sessions last for 60 minutes and focus on topics such as:
- Mindful eating
- Self-care and stress management
- Emotional and social eating
- Understanding food labels
- Introducing physical activity
Our experienced team is made up of nutritionists, psychologists and sport and exercise specialists. You’ll have a dedicated weight management practitioner for your whole journey with us.
We offer continued support for 12-months and beyond. Our 12-month programme includes 12 weekly sessions followed by 8 monthly sessions. Our experienced team offers regular check-ins to ensure clients are supported on their journey.
For more information, visit the Morelife website here.
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.