Weight loss

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.

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.

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.

Advice for Patients:

• a falsified version of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) KwikPen 15mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen has been identified supplied by one UK online pharmacy - The Private Pharmacy Clinic, located in Birmingham
• this pharmacy is unable to provide more of this medication at this time
• check the batch number on any Mounjaro KwikPen 15mg pre-filled pens you have been dispensed
• if you have a 15mg pen with batch number D873576, do not use the pen. Pictures of the product are provided below
• patients who have this pen should report the case to the MHRA via info@mhra.gov.uk, please include “Mounjaro Pens” in the subject line. Patients should keep the pen in a safe place, the MHRA will arrange a collection
• if you are unsure of how to identify the pen, or are unsure on whether you have administered an affected batch and have any questions please speak to a healthcare professional
• if you have administered injections using the pen already, please be reassured that, on the basis of the cases reviewed to date, the risk to you is low
• if you have administered injections, and you are experiencing any unusual symptoms that you are concerned about, seek immediate medical attention
• if you suspect that you’ve had a side effect to these affected pens, or suspect it’s not a genuine product, or have a defective pen you can report it to our Yellow Card scheme. It is important patients do not try to extract any dosage if a pen is defective in any way
• patients should be reminded on the guidance on safe use of GLP-1’s: GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes: what you need to know

• 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.