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Weight management support


Weight Management Support

Managing your weight can have a positive impact on your overall health and wellbeing. If you would like support, help is available and you do not have to do it alone. 


✅ Getting started

If you would like support with your weight:

👉 Step 1 – Book a weight check

You will need a recent weight and BMI recorded at the practice.

  • Book a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) or Nurse appointment
  • This is a quick check and helps us guide you to the right support

👉 Step 2 – What happens next?

If your BMI is below the treatment threshold:

  • You will be given brief lifestyle advice

If your BMI is higher:

  • You will be offered support and further options, including:
    • Referral to local weight management services
    • Discussion about weight loss medication (if appropriate)

Local weight management support

Livewell Derby

Livewell Derby provides free support to help you improve your health and wellbeing. They offer:

  • Weight management programmes
  • Healthy lifestyle advice
  • Support to become more active 

You do not need us to refer you, you can do this yourself by calling or visiting their website

📞 Phone: 01332 641254
🌐 Website: Livewell


Live Life Better Derbyshire

  • Structured NHS lifestyle programmes
  • Support with diet, activity, and behaviour change

📞 Phone: 0800 085 2299 or 01629 538 200
🌐 Website: Live Life Better


Other useful support

  • NHS Better Health: practical advice on healthy eating and activity 
  • Community activities, walking groups, and exercise programmes 

Weight loss medication

Medication may be available for some patients over the age of 18 years, after assessment.

👉 Medication is always used alongside lifestyle support — not instead of it.


Orlistat (tablet medication)

You may be offered Orlistat if:

  • Your BMI is above a certain level
  • You are working on lifestyle changes

What to expect:

  • 12-week trial to see if it is effective
  • Regular follow-up and weight checks at the practice
  • Continued only if it is helping

Important:

  • You will need a weight check with a nurse or HCA before reviews
  • Treatment is not usually long-term and is normally stopped within 2 years

Mounjaro (tirzepatide injection)

This is a newer NHS treatment for some patients.

You may be considered if:

  • Your BMI is 35 or above (or lower for some ethnic groups)
  • You have at least four of the following diagnosed conditions:
    • Type 2 diabetes
    • High blood pressure (hypertension)
    • Cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart disease, stroke, or vascular disease)
    • Obstructive sleep apnoea (confirmed by a sleep clinic)
    • Abnormal blood fats (dyslipidaemia) or high cholestero)
  • You meet NHS eligibility criteria

Before starting Mounjaro:

You will need:

✅ A recent weight recorded in the last 6 months
✅ An assessment with a Clinical Pharmacist
✅ Referral to a behavioural support programme


How to access Mounjaro:

  1. Book a weight check (if not done recently)
  2. Book a Clinical Pharmacist appointment
  3. If appropriate:
    • You will be referred to support (BSOP)
    • Medication can be started after engagement with the support program is confirmed

Ongoing care:

  • Monthly reviews (usually by phone)
  • Weight monitoring
  • 6-month in-practice weight check

🚫 When medication may not be suitable

Medication may not be offered if:

  • You do not meet NHS eligibility criteria
  • You are unable to engage with lifestyle support
  • It is not clinically appropriate

📅 Follow-up and monitoring

If you are started on treatment:

Orlistat:

  • Review at 12 weeks
  • Then regular reviews every 3 months

Mounjaro:

  • Monthly review with a Clinical Pharmacist
  • Ongoing monitoring of weight and side effects

📞 How to book the right appointment

What you needBook
No recent weight recorded in your record HCA or Nurse
General weight adviceHCA or Nurse
Interested in medicationClinical Pharmacist after a weight check
On Orlistat (review)Nurse/HCA weight check first, then Pharmacist
On MounjaroPharmacist (you will need a Nurse or HCA to check your weight every 6 months)

💡 Why support helps

You are more likely to achieve and maintain a healthy weight with support.
Support can help you:

  • Stay motivated
  • Build healthy habits
  • Make long-term changes

✅ Summary

At Horizon Healthcare, we offer:

  • ✅ Lifestyle and behavioural support
  • ✅ Access to NHS weight management services
  • ✅ Medication where appropriate
  • ✅ Regular follow-up and monitoring

❤️ You don’t have to manage your weight alone — support is here when you need it


Get active

Regular physical activity can support weight management and improve your health.

You can access:

  • Walking groups
  • Community activities
  • Exercise programmes

👉 See our Community Support Team and Local Support page for more options


Healthy eating

Making small, sustainable changes to your diet can make a big difference.

You can find advice and support through:

👉 NHS Better Health
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/


  • Slimming World

    You’ll find delicious recipe and menu ideas at your local group, along with all the help you need to get started and reach your target weight.

    Website
    Slimming World

  • Weight Watchers

    Meetings, online or a little bit of both. They’ve got options and support, whatever your lifestyle.

    Website
    Weight Watchers

  • BMI calculator

    The body mass index (BMI) is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is healthy.

    Website
    NHS: BMI healthy weight calculator

  • Livewell – Lose Weight

    Shed pounds sensibly whilst improving your eating and exercise habits. Our three dedicated programmes –Lose Weight for men and women, Active Supporters for men run with DCFC and Liveability for adults with learning disabilities – are designed to support your specific needs in a warm and welcoming environment.

    Phone
    01332 641 254

    Website
    www.livewellderby.co.uk/lose-weight-0

  • Overeaters Anonymous

    Overeaters Anonymous provides insight into problems of eating compulsively, strength to deal with it, and a very real hope that there is a solution.

    Phone
    07798 587802

    Website
    www.oagb.org.uk

    Email
    general@oagb.org.uk

Page published: 9 May 2023
Last updated: 12 June 2026