Thinking About Weight Loss Injections?

What You Need to Know

We understand that many people are exploring ways to improve their health and manage their weight. Recently, there has been growing interest in weight loss injections such as Wegovy and Saxenda. While these medications are being discussed widely, it’s important to know how they are used within the NHS—and what support is available locally in West Sussex.

Start Here: Free Local Support

If you are looking to manage your weight, the first step is usually a Tier 2 weight management programme.

Locally, this is provided by West Sussex Wellbeing. Their team offers structured support, including advice on nutrition, physical activity, and sustainable lifestyle changes. These programmes are designed to help people lose weight safely and gradually.

About Weight Loss Injections

There is currently high demand for medications such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide), but there are very strict NHS rules around when these can be prescribed:

These medications are not available from general practice for weight loss.

They can only be prescribed:

• As part of a specialist Tier 3 NHS weight management service, and
• Only if you meet the national criteria, which include:
  • Having a high BMI (usually over 35, or 32.5 for certain ethnic groups),
  • A weight-related health problem (such as high blood pressure or sleep apnoea),
  • Having already completed a Tier 2 programme without significant weight loss.

The only exception where GPs may prescribe these medications is for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and even then, only in specific circumstances—for example, when two other diabetes medications have failed and the patient is also living with obesity.

If You Are Considering Private Treatment

Some people choose to access these medications privately, either through clinics or online services. While this is a personal choice, it is important to be aware of the following:

If you are receiving weight loss medication privately, your GP cannot take responsibility for your treatment.

We are unable to:

• Provide NHS prescriptions for these medications,
• Offer blood tests, monitoring, or supervision related to their use,
• Manage complications or side effects arising from private prescriptions.

What You Can Do

• If you are looking to begin your weight loss journey, we strongly recommend starting with the Tier 2 programme from West Sussex Wellbeing. It is free, supportive, and proven to help.
• If you have already completed Tier 2 and have not achieved significant weight loss, you may be eligible for referral to the Tier 3 specialist service. In this case, please contact the practice for a discussion.

We want to support patients to access the right care at the right time. Starting with Tier 2 is the first step toward long-term, sustainable weight management—and we are here to help if further steps are needed.