Northern Ireland Set to Launch Its First Obesity Management Service

The novel service will mark its debut in Northern Ireland as the first of its type, set to commence initially around early 2026.

In this stage, we will concentrate on establishing a community-focused service enabling patients to receive assistance with their lifestyles along with obesity medications when deemed suitable from a clinical perspective.

At present, patients using the health services in Northern Ireland do not have access to specialized weight management programs, which include cutting-edge weight loss injections and medications.

This service will facilitate access to weight-loss medications in accordance with NICE guidelines. The Department of Health stated that the implementation will be meticulously controlled through a staged approach to "make sure that the treatment is delivered safely and effectively".

Future stages of the ROMS will expand, dependent on funding, to include additional treatments like bariatric (weight loss) surgery.

The minister's statement comes after the Department of Health conducted a public consultation regarding the suggested implementation of ROMS.

Mr Nesbitt stated: "This represents a considerable advancement. Although my budget is severely strained and I face numerous financial obligations, I resolved to prioritize this particular sector."

Obesity represents a considerable public health concern in Northern Ireland, where 65 percent of adults and 26 percent of children are affected by obesity or being overweight.

People who live with obesity or excess weight face an increased likelihood of developing various serious health issues such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

As I've consistently stressed, my aim is to redirect our healthcare system's emphasis from curing sick individuals to assisting them in maintaining good health.

I have prioritised tackling health disparities during my tenure as Minister. One significant contributor to these inequities is obesity. This issue affects 68 percent of individuals in the most economically challenged areas, which is higher than the 62 percent observed in less deprived regions.

Introducing a Regional Obesity Management Service will align our approach with other regions within the UK. This initiative will roll out incrementally over time, requiring consistent funding to become fully operational. The implementation process will be meticulously overseen to guarantee effective functioning, with patient volumes increasing steadily. Nonetheless, this marks a significant milestone for public health today.

The department stated that the yearly expense of obesity for society in Northern Ireland is considerable. According to a study conducted in 2015 aimed at assessing both health care and productivity expenses related to being overweight and obese in Northern Ireland, this figure amounts to approximately £414 million annually.

In November 2023, the Department launched a consultation seeking views from the public on the introduction of an obesity management service. The outcome of the consultation, which yielded just under 19,000 responses, was overwhelming in favour of introducing this service to Northern Ireland.

A summary of the public consultation regarding the suggested implementation of ROMS can be found at https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/proposed-regional-obesity-management-service-roms-northern-ireland

The plans for the Regional Obesity Management Service are part of the broader 'Healthy Futures' strategy from the Department of Health. Both initiatives were discussed concurrently through consultation processes, including shared stakeholder engagement sessions designed to tackle concerns covering both areas.

A 'Healthy Futures' consultation analysis report, which summarises the insights from the public input regarding the vision, principles, themes, and broad health outcomes for the upcoming obesity strategic framework, is being released today.

A copy of the report can be accessed online at https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/strategic-framework-prevent-harm-caused-obesity-and-improve-diets-and-levels-physical-activity .

The feedback from consultations shows strong backing and underscores the necessity to intensify initiatives aimed at preventing excess weight and obesity. It simultaneously calls for an integrated, person-focused strategy towards managing obesity. Participants stressed the significance of tackling health disparities, boosting communal involvement, and guaranteeing fair access to facilities and assistance for underprivileged groups. There’s now more emphasis on transitioning away from personal accountability toward broader alterations that create healthier surroundings.

Progress is being made on completing the 'Healthy Futures' obesity strategic framework, with plans to release it in 2025.