Information for Patients on Access to Weight Loss Medication (GLP-1s) in North East London
Information for Patients on Access to Weight Loss Medication (GLP-1s) in North East London
We understand that many people are interested in new weight loss medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro®), which are approved by the NHS for certain patients through specialist weight management services.
This medication for weight management cannot be prescribed by your GP and can only be accessed through a referral to a specialist weight management service.
At this time, our local NHS authority — NHS North East London Integrated Care Board (NEL ICB) — has introduced strict criteria for accessing these treatments on the NHS.
Unless you meet these criteria, unfortunately, we are unable to refer you to the specialist service.
We completely understand this is disappointing.
The current interim policy may change in the future, and we will update you when the final policy is released. For the moment, please see the referral criteria below.
Who Can Be Referred
Under the current interim NEL ICB policy, patients must have completed a weight loss programme AND meet one of the following:
1. BMI ≥ 40kg/m²
And four or more of the following qualifying conditions:
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Cardiovascular disease
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High blood pressure (hypertension)
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Abnormal cholesterol levels (dyslipidaemia)
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Obstructive sleep apnoea
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Type 2 diabetes
2. BMI ≥ 35kg/m²
With one weight-related health problem (does not have to be one of the above), plus one of the following urgent clinical situations:
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Active cancer needing urgent weight loss for planned treatment
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Awaiting organ transplant and requiring urgent weight reduction
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Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) with frequent lumbar punctures or vision problems
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Time-sensitive major surgery where weight is the main barrier
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Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS)
Note: If you are from a South Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean background, a lower BMI cut-off (usually by 2.5 kg/m²) is applied.
What This Means for You
If you do not meet these criteria, we are currently unable to refer you for GLP-1 medication through the NHS.
However, we can refer you to the Tier 2 weight management programme, which is a required step for accessing specialist weight management services should the eligibility criteria change in the future.
You can self-refer using this link: https://www.better.org.uk/self-referral
If you do meet the criteria, you can book an appointment with us to discuss the referral process.
We know this may be frustrating, especially as different parts of the country may have different policies. These restrictions are based on NHS England guidance and local decisions made by NHS North East London.
We hope that access will improve as new services are launched in the coming months. We will keep you informed as soon as we have any updates.
Want to Share Feedback?
If you would like to share your views on this matter, you can do so by contacting the North East London feedback page.
