NHS partners in specialist weight management

Oviva prevents and treats health conditions related to diet & lifestyle, at scale. To date, our behaviour change programmes have supported over 300,000 NHS patients with their health goals. Our NHS services offer patients superior access, personalisation and health outcomes compared to standard care, which in turn saves the NHS money. We achieve this through our programmes that use our proven triage to personalise each patient’s journey. We offer expert support, engaging content and multiple access options including telephone, video calls and through the NHS approved Oviva app.

We are regulated by the CQC and achieved a ‘good’ rating at our most recent inspection in October 2022. All Oviva dietitians are registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council and our nutritionists are AfN registered. All members of the team undergo regular quality assurance reviews and receive regular training from our Lead Dietitians and Psychologists.

Oviva’s Tier 3 Specialist Weight Management programme is led by a consultant endocrinologist and participants receive support from a specialist multidisciplinary team including Obesity doctors, Obesity Specialist Dietitians and Nurses, and Psychologists. 

When they join, we will assess a patient’s needs and understand their preferences to provide them with their own personalised healthcare plan. If they are eligible, our specialist prescribing team, overseen by a consultant endocrinologist will prescribe weight loss medications to help them lose weight. A specialist dietitian will provide personalised nutrition advice, and exercise and lifestyle guidance alongside the medication so that they lose weight safely. 

There is a chance they may not be eligible for weight loss medications, meaning their pathway will be based on personalised dietary support from our expert healthcare team. We will also assess all patients’ needs for psychological support. Based on this they may also be offered a consultation with a psychologist or psychology practitioner, as well as follow up coaching sessions.

You can use our patient flyer, which offers detailed information about the programme, to help explain it to your patient. Additionally, you can direct them to our website for more resources to help them understand the programme and what to expect.

Eligibility for Tier 3 weight management services varies by location. Please refer to our ‘how to refer’ section where you can select your ICB from the dropdown list. The cover sheet on the referral form shows local criteria to help you check whether your patient is eligible and suitable for our Tier 3 Weight Management programme.

Typical eligibility criteria is:

• Adults 18+
• Body mass index of 35+
• A weight-related health condition
  

Yes, all patients in England have a legal right to choose under the NHS Constitution. They can choose Oviva’s service because Oviva holds several qualifying compliant ICB contracts for Consultant-led Tier 3 Weight Management services.

No, in order for them to join the programme they need their GP to verify their suitability and complete the referral form and send it to Oviva. This is to ensure patient safety and to confirm that they are eligible for the programme.

They’ll still receive comprehensive support from our specialist team. This includes personalised nutrition guidance, physical activity planning and psychological support, all designed to help them lose weight safely and sustainably.

These innovative medications help people achieve rapid and effective weight loss which, with the right holistic support, can be sustained in the long term. 

Our weight loss medications are part of a holistic programme that includes wider support including diet and exercise plans to help people build healthy habits for the long-term. This wraparound care is essential so we don’t end up with a yo-yo effect where a patient takes the medication, loses weight, and regains it. Wraparound care helps patients change their behaviour to stay healthy post-treatment, helping to get the most from what these medications can offer. 

Our Tier 3 service offers comprehensive management for patients including in-house weight loss medication prescriptions and management.

We will keep the GP updated on any medication changes made and collaborate on patient care.

NICE carried out an independent cost analysis of new obesity medications, like Wegovy. NICE determined they are cost-effective for the NHS, as they significantly reduce risks of serious conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes – which cost the NHS £19 billion a year. The health service spends a very small amount on obesity treatments in the context of the enormous annual cost to the NHS of obesity and related illnesses.