Tier 3 Weight Management in Gateshead
The challenge
Experts estimate that 5-10% of people across England have Tier 3 obesity, which equates to 10,000-20,000 people in Gateshead. There was also a need to encourage greater uptake of weight management services from groups traditionally underrepresented.
Expanding access to evidence-based weight management services was a key priority for local PCNs and not commissioning such a service would leave significant unmet need and drive excess health system costs from the complications of Tier 3 obesity. There was no existing local Tier 3 Weight Management service and a limited local workforce capacity and so a quick and seamless mobilisation was critical to success.
The solution
In May 2022, Oviva was commissioned to provide Tier 3 Weight Management services for people living with obesity across Gateshead CCG. The service is Consultant Endocrinologist led, and supports people with the highest needs. Mobilisation took just 6 weeks, led by Oviva’s Mobilisation Manager. To ensure a successful go-live, the team worked closely with the local Primary Care Networks to embed the service into existing pathways.
Tackling health inequalities
We improve engagement with underrepresented groups by removing potential barriers. Our programmes are available in over 25 languages, and all content and coaching is culturally sensitive. Remote telephone or app-based care avoids travel, parking, childcare and taking time off work.
Our data from May 2022 to February 2023 shows:
- 8% of attenders were from ethnic minority background
- 20% of attenders were from the most deprived 10% of LSOAs in England
- 92% of attenders were of working age
- People were supported in their first language including Arabic, French, Russian and Italian
- All 29 GP practices have referred patients since go-live.
Driving high completion rates
We pride ourselves on providing person-centric and effective care, making treatment available where and when people want it. Our sessions are available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm to support better engagement, and our dietitians and health coaches work with our participants to identify and break down misconceptions so they can achieve their goals. In Gateshead we’ve seen 66% of starters complete 75% of the programme at three months, an improvement on the 60% KPI.
Providing better health outcomes
We develop and refine our evidence-based programmes with the patient front and centre so our outcomes are equivalent or better than traditional face-to-face services. In Gateshead we’ve seen:
Achieving cost savings
We have 50 peer reviewed publications and 31 service evaluations showing our programmes achieve best-in-class clinical outcomes. Our return-on-investment models show these outcomes drive significant in-year NHS medication savings, greater healthcare professional workforce capacity and reduced pressure on NHS services.
What North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System says:
“We commissioned the tier 3 weight management service to provide for the Gateshead population, assist specific people in our area to lose weight and improve health in the locality. Feedback has been very positive and the service has been well received; in fact, the places available were filled before expectation. We’ve seen a great improvement on the quality of care and outcomes for people with weight management issues locally. Oviva has achieved good results, especially in relation to percentages of weight patients have lost. I think this service has a beneficial impact on the health of the community in Gateshead, including on those who need it most.”
Lisa West, Project Delivery Lead
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