How to access the weight management service

We support people who have tried to lose weight in the past but feel they need more specialist help. If you have a BMI over 35kg/m² and your G.P is in Newcastle you may be suitable. Your GP or other healthcare provider can advise if you are suitable for our service and refer if appropriate. Information for referrers including our referral criteria can be found here: Guidance for Health Care Professionals

When and where you can be seen

This service runs Monday to Friday daytime. We use a range of group spaces and clinic venues across Newcastle. We offer telephone and video calls where requested. Support is available both through group or individual sessions.

We are a teaching hospital Trust and sometimes we have trainee clinical psychologists or student dietitians on placement with us.

What about exercise?

We encourage people to increase their activity levels and will provide advice and support to help you.

What if I want weight loss medications or surgery?

Prescribable injections that help reduce weight, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, are being slowly phased in as an NHS treatment option. However, access will be based on strict criteria. For the first year from approximately the end of June 2025, people with at least 4 specific diagnosed health problems that can improve with weight loss (mostly cardiovascular conditions) and a BMI over 40 will possibly be eligible. A small number of patients may be eligible to get these through our specialist weight management service as part of this limited roll-out. It is anticipated, due to high demand, that it will take years for these medicines to be more readily available to all who may benefit. We appreciate this is a frustrating situation for many who have struggled to lose weight and are keen to try this option. As a team we hope to support more people in the future but currently the number of people we can support is strictly limited. If you are considering buying these privately, we would strongly recommend you use a licensed and reputable pharmacy.

If you have a Newcastle GP and are interested in weight loss surgery also known as Bariatric surgery, you will need to attend our service first. We will be able to advise your GP to make a referral to local Bariatric centres at North Tyneside or Sunderland when you are ready for discharge from our team.