NHS Lanarkshire is committed to supporting residents living with obesity. As part of this commitment, the health board has secured a share of an £85 million funding allocation which was distributed among 12 health boards UK wide.
This new funding will kick-start NHS Lanarkshire’s development of an innovative programme, which is designed to improve access to weight management initiatives and help more people to manage their health closer to home.
The NHS Lanarkshire Healthy Lifestyle and Weight Management Service (LWMS) secured this funding from Eli Lilly through the Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP). The team presented an ambitious vision to make it easier for people to access the right service at the right time to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Following a highly competitive selection process, NHS Lanarkshire was chosen as one of only two health boards in Scotland to receive OPIP funding.
Alongside the opportunity to increase clinical staffing within the service, a key aspect will be the development of a new digital weight management platform and patient app. This will provide people with greater access to self-management tools, personalised weight management healthcare, health information and connections to local community services. OPIP will also work towards improving outcomes for those in need of extra support, particularly people with Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Working closely with community organisations, leisure services and third sector partners, the programme will be developed over the next three years to help ensure support is available where people need it most.
Jonathan Cavana, Head of Service Transformation & Change for Lanarkshire Weight Management Service, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Our new digital platform will be co-designed with patients and healthcare professionals, making a wide range of weight management tools more accessible across Lanarkshire. Initially launched locally, the platform will have the potential to expand across Scotland and will be designed to adapt and evolve in response to changing public health needs.
“We welcome the independent grant funding which has been provided by Eli Lilly and Company Limited in addition to the funding contributed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Through the programme, delivered through Innovate UK, this will allow us to bring weight management interventions in Scotland up to speed with how people live their lives today.”
Graeme Bryson, Director of Pharmacy, NHS Lanarkshire, commented: “OPIP will also allow us to widen our reach of prescribing anti-obesity medication, although this continues to follow necessary criteria for treatment, alongside lifestyle support.
“This new approach will be both exciting and challenging as we further help people to manage their healthcare more effectively and reduce the impact of obesity on individuals, families and communities across Lanarkshire.”
Professor S Josephine Pravinkumar, Director of Public Health, NHS Lanarkshire, added: “We know that obesity is a complex health issue and that many people face challenges accessing the support they need.
“Through this programme, we will be able to expand access to services, develop new digital tools and strengthen community-based support, helping more people improve their health and wellbeing.
“Most importantly, we are designing these services with long-term sustainability in mind, ensuring that the benefits of this investment continue to support the people of Lanarkshire for years to come.”
Public Health Minister, Maree Todd, said: “I am delighted to hear of the successful bid application put forward by NHS Lanarkshire.
“This funding will drive real innovation in the treatment of obesity in Scotland and ensure that people will receive care and weight management support tailored to their individual needs.
“This project builds on all the work undertaken by health boards across the country, with Scottish Government support, to develop safe and effective weight management services at national scale.”
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L-R: Professor S Josephine Pravinkumar – Director of Public Health, Jonathan Cavana – Head of Service Transformation & Change for Lanarkshire Weight Management Service and Graeme Bryson – Director of Pharmacy.
