A major health initiative worth £85million has been unveiled by the Government, vowing to revolutionise obesity treatment for thousands of patients across Britain.
The scheme will allow patients to receive comprehensive weight management support via high street pharmacies, online services and local community facilities.
The Government has pledged £50million towards the initiative, with pharmaceutical giant Lilly contributing £35million. NHS bodies throughout the UK can submit proposals to access this funding.
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The annual financial burden of obesity-related care on the NHS currently stands at £11billion
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Patients in participating regions could benefit from these new services as soon as summer 2026.
The funding allocation includes a minimum of £10million specifically designated for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Healthcare organisations can apply for grants to develop pilot schemes that test innovative care delivery models.
The initiative makes up part of a broader £279million investment agreement reached between Whitehall and Lilly during October's International Investment Summit.
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These new pathways aim to provide comprehensive weight management support, including wraparound services and, where clinically appropriate, obesity treatments for eligible patients.
Digital tools will play a key role in making care more accessible regardless of location.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: "New ways of accessing support to tackle obesity, such as through pharmacies or with help from digital tools, could be transformational for people's quality of life, and for society allowing individuals to more easily manage their weight and freeing them from ill-health that holds them back in daily life while reducing the strain on our NHS."
Wes Streeting dubbed obesity as 'one of the leading causes of ill health'
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By investing in the scheme, Kyle added that his department sought to "tackle one of the greatest health challenges of our era".
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "Obesity is now one of the leading causes of ill health, costing the NHS billions.
"Yet, we now have the science, technology and knowledge to help tackle the obesity epidemic, if we seize this opportunity."
The annual financial burden of obesity-related care on the NHS currently stands at £11billion.