An innovative community-based approach to treating obesity in south London has secured £4.5 million of national funding through the Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP).
Working with people living with obesity, GPs, dietitians and pharmacists, the NHS in south London has designed new ways of delivering services.
This funding for south London means these treatment options for thousands of people living with obesity and their families can now be tested.
Obesity is associated with a range of long-term health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Our programme gives us an opportunity to test how community pharmacies and wider support services can work together to help people improve people’s health closer to home.
NHS South West London’s Chief Medical Officer Nicola Jones
The programme will bring together community pharmacies, local NHS services and wider weight management support to help people access care closer to home.
Alongside clinical support, people will be offered wider advice to support healthier lifestyles, including weight loss medication, information about healthy eating, physical activity, psychological support and behaviour change, with services available both online and in person.
There will also be regular group sessions for sharing experiences and learning.
Once the programme is up and running, adult and family weight management hubs will be created to make it easier for people to get help in a way that works for them.
The programme is being delivered through a partnership involving NHS South West London, NHS South East London, the Health Innovation Network South London and others.
We are delighted to build on south London’s track record of testing and scaling new care models, as we work together to design and evaluate accessible, community-based weight management services that deliver real benefit to our residents.
Amanda Begley, Director of Digital and Transformation at the Health Innovation Network South London
In south London, the programme is due to begin from October 2026 in community pharmacies with new family support hubs being tested from next year.
People identified to take part in the programme will need to meet specific eligibility criteria. Further information about eligibility and how the programme will operate can be found here.
NHS South West London’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Nicola Jones said: “Obesity is one of the biggest health challenges facing our communities in south London and we know that people can face barriers accessing support.
“We’re pleased that our project has been chosen as one of only 12 across the UK to try out new approaches to improving the health of patients living with obesity.
“Our programme gives us an opportunity to test how community pharmacies and wider support services can work together to help people improve people’s health closer to home.”
Amanda Begley, Director of Digital and Transformation at the Health Innovation Network South London, said:“Innovation has a critical role to play in addressing obesity, which is closely linked to significant health inequalities across our region.
“We are delighted to build on south London’s track record of testing and scaling new care models, as we work together to design and evaluate accessible, community-based weight management services that deliver real benefit to our residents.”