Tier 3 Weight Management: what you need to know
Losing weight can be tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re living with overweight or obesity in the UK, you may benefit from Tier 3 Weight Management services. This is a multidisciplinary approach to weight loss, covering diet, physical activity and mental health support.
Oviva’s Tier 3 Weight Management service is funded by the NHS in England. Find out today if you’re eligible by completing our survey.
Key Takeaways
- A Tier 3 Weight Management programme provides diet, exercise and mental health support from healthcare professionals for sustainable and healthy weight loss.
- The service may be suitable if you’re living with overweight or obesity and committed to changing your lifestyle.
- Patients living in the UK can access Tier 3 services from the NHS or, if you’re in England, through an approved weight management programme, like Oviva.
- Oviva’s Tier 3 Weight Management service can also prescribe weight loss medication, if deemed appropriate by healthcare professionals.
Table of Contents
What is Tier 3 Weight Management?
How long can I be on the Tier 3 Weight Management service?
Will I be eligible for weight loss medication?
How long is the NHS waiting list for Tier 3 weight loss management?
What are the benefits of a Tier 3 weight loss programme?
What is Tier 3 Weight Management?
A Tier 3 Weight Management service is a tailored support programme for adults with excess weight. The programme will typically last between 12 weeks and two years. The aim is to help you achieve healthy and sustainable weight loss using various intervention methods and with the support of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
This may include:
- Support regarding eating a healthy diet, with a focus on nutrient-rich foods and making sensible substitutions rather than strict rules about ‘good’ or ‘bad’ foods.
- One-to-one consultations with a coach, who can help you to set goals and create a plan.
- Mental health support that is provided by psychologists and may be available remotely.
- Advice and support regarding physical activity, including aerobic exercise, strength training and small but impactful lifestyle changes that will encourage you to move around more.
Oviva’s Tier 3 Weight Management programme can make a real difference to your quality of life. Many people on our Tier 3 pathway lose 10% or more of their body weight. You may even exceed this if you receive weight loss medication.
What does a Tier 3 programme include?
Tier 3 Weight Management programmes consist of diet, physical activity and psychological interventions, promoting sustainable weight loss.
With Oviva and NHS Tier 3 services, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Instead, you’ll receive personalised care and support based on your specific needs and circumstances.
NHS Tier 3 Weight Management services
NHS Tier 3 Weight Management services can vary by location but may consist of group meetings, online sessions and one-to-one sessions. Expert support will be provided by dietitians, doctors who specialise in obesity, psychologists and weight management advisers.
In some locations, counselling and talking therapy may not be available via the NHS.
The waiting lists for Tier 3 Weight Management NHS services vary depending on your location. For some, waiting lists are over two years. It’s also important to note that some NHS locations are non-prescribing services, meaning you can’t access weight loss medication.
Oviva’s Tier 3 Weight Management services
Oviva’s Tier 3 Weight Management programme is NHS-funded and provides personalised care but allows you to access treatment faster than in most NHS locations as you do not have to join the NHS Tier 3 waiting list.
The service combines diet, exercise advice, and psychological support, all of which are aimed at sustainable weight loss. We can also provide access to weight loss medication if you’re a suitable candidate for this approach.
You’ll have regular communication with healthcare professionals and access to the Oviva app, allowing you to track your progress and access educational materials.
Am I eligible for a Tier 3 Weight Management programme?
The NHS Tier 3 Weight Management programme is available across the UK, but only in specific areas. You can be referred to a Tier 3 Weight Management service if all of the following apply:
- You live in an area offering the service.
- You’re registered with a GP in that area.
- You’re aged 18 or over.
- You have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, without any other health conditions, OR you have a BMI of 35* or more and you are living with a long-term weight-related health condition, such as diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, or cardiovascular disease.
- You’re motivated to change your lifestyle and can commit to the programme.
* A lower BMI threshold of 32.5 or more is used if you’re of a Black African, Caribbean or South Asian family background and you have a long-term weight-related health condition.
You will not be eligible for the Tier 3 Weight Management programme if you’re:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have an eating disorder
The eligibility criteria are guidelines; some locations may use slightly different criteria.
If you’re unsure of your body mass index (BMI), use our free BMI calculator to find out.
It’s important to note that eligibility for Oviva’s NHS-funded Tier 3 programme is based on your location in England. If you’re unsure whether it’s available in your area, our eligibility survey can tell you.
How long can I be on the Tier 3 Weight Management service?
Tier 3 Weight Management services on the NHS typically include a 12-week programme, followed by up to two years of regular support from healthcare professionals.
Oviva’s Tier 3 service will last between six months and two years, depending on the pathway you’re on. If you’re prescribed weight loss medication, you’ll receive support for two years. If you’re only receiving dietary and lifestyle support, you’ll usually be on the programme for a year.
Do I need a Tier 3 Weight Management service near me to be eligible?
Local NHS Tier 3 Weight Management offerings are managed by local NHS services. You need to be a resident of an area offering the service and be registered with a GP in the same area.
Oviva’s Tier 3 Weight Management programme is currently only available to people living in England who are also registered with a GP practice in England, as well as some areas in Scotland.
If you’re based in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, we encourage you to speak to your GP or local healthcare provider about the weight management services available in your area.
Will I be eligible for weight loss medication?
Some NHS Tier 3 Weight Management services are non-prescribing services, which means they will not be able to provide you with access to weight loss medication.
Oviva’s Tier 3 programme in England may include access to weight loss medication, like Wegovy. When you join, you’ll have an initial assessment through which your specific needs can be determined. If you have a BMI over 35 and relevant comorbidities, you may receive weight loss medication on the NHS.
What about bariatric surgery?
Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, is a Tier 4 Weight Management service and is typically a last resort intervention if diet, exercise and medication do not produce the desired results. Examples of bariatric surgery offered on the NHS include gastric bypass and gastric band.
To be eligible for bariatric surgery, you’ll usually need to have completed a Tier 3 Weight Management service. You’ll also need to demonstrate that you’ve fully engaged with the various non-surgical intervention methods recommended as part of the programme.
How long is the NHS waiting list for Tier 3 weight loss management?
Waiting lists for NHS Tier 3 Weight Management services vary depending on location. However, it’s common for waiting lists to be over a year and in some cases, the waiting list can exceed two years. One option for tackling Tier 3 waiting lists is to seek a referral to Oviva.
With Oviva, you’ll be able to get started quicker and start making changes to your lifestyle.
What are the benefits of a Tier 3 weight loss programme?
- As part of a Tier 3 Weight Management programme, you’ll benefit from holistic lifestyle support. The programme will teach you to create long-term, sustainable changes rather than rely on quick fixes.
- You’ll build a new relationship with food, expand your knowledge of nutrition and adopt healthy behaviours that can form lasting positive habits.
- With Oviva’s programme, you don’t have to do it alone. You’ll have access to a coaching team, including dietitians, health coaches and psychologists, specialising in weight loss and management.
- You’ll also receive personalised care and feedback throughout the programme.
- As part of the programme, you may also be able to access prescription GLP-1 medication, which is delivered to your door. Oviva can offer support and medical supervision throughout your journey while also avoiding the costs associated with purchasing the medication privately.
- Oviva’s service is also available remotely, so there’s no need to schedule face-to-face meetings, and you can fit the programme around your schedule.
Tier 3 Weight Management reviews
Take a look at what our patients have to say about their experience on our NHS-funded Tier 3 weight management services.
Ashlee embarked on Oviva’s Tier 3 Weight Management programme, determined to improve her lifestyle and well-being. She lost 16 kg on a supervised 9-week diet and has learned to make delicious, nutrient-rich meals to ensure she can continue to manage her weight long-term. Most importantly, she has more energy to play with her daughter.
I am more motivated, productive and energised… I feel great, the whole experience has been life changing!
Overall it’s been really positive, easy to get the medication, easy to administer, and always very helpful and friendly. I have lost 20 kg, I’m not as tired and can move around much easier. I feel happier in myself! I’ve had 5 grandchildren born in the space of 2 months, and I feel excited to be able to play with them and move around a little better.
Oviva patient success stories:
-22kg
Heidi (53)
-25kg
Martin (34)
-32kg
Patricia (53)
How to succeed on a Tier 3 service
Once you join a Tier 3 Weight Management programme, there are several ways you can improve your chances of success:
Setting realistic goals: your roadmap to success
Setting realistic goals is crucial for succeeding with a Tier 3 service. This can be especially true if you have chronic health conditions or complex medical needs, which may require a long-term approach. Setting achievable, measurable goals allows you to create a roadmap to success, helps you stay on course, and can also help provide you with added motivation.
Read more about overcoming a weight loss plateau.
Tracking progress: the importance of keeping records
Keeping records and tracking your progress during a Tier 3 programme helps you to see your progress and understand the effectiveness of your treatment plan. You can also receive more tailored care by tracking your meals in the Oviva app, monitoring your exercise and logging your mood.
Read more about tracking your weight loss progress.
Sustainable behaviour change: create healthy habits
Sustainable behaviour change allows you to gradually build positive habits that you can continue. Examples include using smaller plates, practising mindful eating and creating meals based on their nutritional value. You can also move away from distracted eating and unhealthy snacking and try to build a habit of moving around more after your meals.
Read more about building healthy weight loss habits.
Start your Tier 3 weight loss programme with Oviva
Oviva’s Tier 3 Weight Management service is a multifaceted approach, covering the areas of diet, exercise, mental health and medicine. You’ll receive personalised care and expert support from dietitians, health coaches and psychologists, helping you manage your weight loss journey.
As part of the service, you’ll be able to reduce your waiting time and potentially gain access to weight loss medication to assist you on your journey. You’ll also develop the skills and knowledge to make sustainable changes to your lifestyle and build healthy habits.
Monitor your goals
Receive personalised recommendations to help you to work towards your goal. Log your food, mood, water intake, exercise and other health metrics using the Oviva app.
Keep a food journal
Snap photos of your daily meals effortlessly within the Oviva app.
Get meal analysis
Get an in-depth meal analysis instantly with a daily summary of your diet.
Stay connected
Connect with your Oviva coach anytime through the app.
Browse learning resources
Written by Oviva’s team of experts, explore advice on nutrition, exercise, and motivation to guide you through the programme and maximise long term weight maintenance.
-
Weight management -
Weight management
