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<p>Local authorities and the National Health Service provide weight management services
to support their communities to achieve and maintain a healthier weight. These range
from behavioural weight management programmes to specialist services for those living
with obesity and associated co-morbidities.</p><p>Local authorities are able to spend
funding from the Public Health Grant on behavioural weight management services in
line with local population need, including in areas of socioeconomic deprivation.
Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning NHS specialist weight management
services in line with local population need, as well as determining the criteria for
access to these services in line with relevant guidance.</p><p>NHS England commissions
the Digital Weight Management Programme nationally for people living with obesity
and an existing comorbidity of either diabetes, or hypertension, or both. The 12-week
programme is available via direct referral from any general practice or Community
Pharmacy.</p><p>The programme provides three levels of intervention at varying intensities,
and patients less likely to complete a behavioural programme of this nature, for instance
those of a younger age, from ethnic minority backgrounds, from a more deprived area,
or who are male, are offered a higher level of intervention and support to retain
their engagement on the programme. Approximately 50% of total referrals are from the
two most deprived socioeconomic quintiles.</p>
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