Slimming on Referral Newsletter 3

Slimming on Referral Newsletter 7 July 2013

This update is intended for GPs, practice nurses, health care support staff and all those who refer to the Slimming on Referral scheme. It is the seventh in a series of newsletters providing information about the service and associated services.

Slimming on Referral is part of the Tier 2 Adult Weight Management Service and referral is via primary care only. Currently, patients are able to access a free 12-week course to either Slimming World or Weight Watchers. In Havant, Gosport and Rushmoor, the third choice is for a referral to the Health Trainer Service for 1-1 and/or group weight management.

Stop Press Statistics!

Out of 520 people referred to the service since mid November 2012, 242 have had time to finish their course of 12 weeks;

131 (54%) of the 242 have achieved 5% weight loss or over. At least 9% of the 242 have achieved 10% weight loss or more

Most Hampshire Practices have referred - although 20 are yet to make a referral. Patients in these practices are missing out on an opportunity to access a free 12-week course of weight management. Are you referring your patients?

Stop Press: Free 12-week course of Weight Watchers weight management for one member of staff at each Hampshire practice (excluding Portsmouth and Southampton). Please email referral@weight- watchers.co.uk for more details. Adult Weight Management Care Pathway Confused about the 4 Tiers of Weight Management?

Hopefully this roundup of weight management will help…….. Tier Criteria / Threshold for access Interventions

1 BMI 25-30. Universal prevention and health promotion services. Raise the issue and provide advice and support for weight loss (diet and Overweight and making first attempts physical activity). Signpost to: at weight loss NHS Choices www.nhs.uk/livewell

Change4Life www.nhs.uk/change4life

2 BMI 30+ (28+ Asian population) and Primary Care - brief intervention; and structured weight with co-morbidities management programmes; anti-obesity medication.

Unsuccessful attempts at weight loss Hampshire Slimming on Referral Scheme – funded from and maintaining weight loss Hampshire County Council Public Health Grant and accessed via Primary Care. For more information contact Abbie Twaits [email protected] or [email protected]

Also consider: Exercise Referral schemes; Health Trainers services (Rushmoor; Havant and Gosport areas only).

3 BMI 35+ and with co morbidities. Community Specialist Weight Management Service “The Weigh Ahead”. Contact on 02380 764964 or SPIRE.tier3soton- BMI 40+ without comorbidities [email protected] or Fax 02380 512757. Patients can be referred into the service using a paper version of the referral Engaged with Tier 1 and 2 services template, which can then be faxed via the secure fax line, mailed over a 2 year period but failed to via the postal system or scanned and e-mailed to the Tier 3 NHS- achieve and maintain weight loss. net e-mail address.

 Multi- disciplinary team with specialist expertise including psychological therapy.

 Designed to help patients achieve weight loss and prepare for the outcome of a surgical procedure.

 Post bariatric surgery support for primary care.

The Tier 3 programme is not a delaying tactic for surgery and is supportive of bariatric surgery in the right circumstances for the appropriate patients.

4 BMI 35+ and with comorbidities Bariatric Surgery and structured, systematic follow-up for 2 years after surgery. BMI 40+ without comorbidities.

Engaged with a Tier 3 services for at least 6 months but failed to achieve and maintain weight loss. Referral Process for Slimming on Referral (Tier 2)

1. Patient is assessed by a member of the primary care team 2. If eligible, patient NHS number and practice code written on referral form by referring practitioner. 3. Entire referral form is handed to the patient 4. Practice keeps a record of patient referrals 5. Patient reads the information and takes the responsibility to telephone the provider of their choice 6. In the case of Slimming World/Weight Watchers, patients receive vouchers in the post within a few working days. 7. In the case of DNA, provider tries to contact patient at least twice. 8. Practices receive individual patients data report (sent to Practice Manager, by nhs.mail).

Young People and Weight Loss

Both Slimming World and Weight Watchers offer a service for young people aged 11-15 years if they are accompanied by a parent/guardian. This is not a service which is commissioned by Public Health. For further details please make contact with the provider: www.weight.watchers.co.uk or www.slimmingworld.com.

Final Word

Haydn Reasons, aged 65 years has lost over 3st since joining the Slimming on Referral scheme in August last year. Haydn now reports that he “feels a lot fitter and healthier.” He has really appreciated the help provided to him by Slimming World by adding that “the help and support and encouragement of Liz, my consultant, together with the group members, is making the task a lot easier without struggling with a list of forbidden foods.”

Susan Pullen had a start weight of 22 stone 12 lbs in April 2012 but has lost 10 stone thanks also to the Slimming World Slimming on Referral scheme.

Congratulations to Haydn and Susan and to all those who supported their weight loss!!

Here are some thoughts from a successful Weight Watchers Hampshire By Referral member whose start weight was 23 stone 2lbs and after 12 weeks was 20 stone 5 lbs. Initially, they reported struggling with walking, moving and breathing

 I think before I eat now and plan in advance – at least 2 days  I now cook more  Started voluntary work 2 days a week  Family have noticed weight loss

Congratulations also to you and for taking the time to share your steps to success!

For more information, or for clarifications on any issue, please contact either Sarah Taylor on 02380 383325, [email protected] or Abbie Twaits on 02380 383301, [email protected] .