At University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (HGS), our multi-professional team delivers comprehensive weight management and bariatric surgery services, with a strong commitment to patient care and safety.
Our specialist weight management service is supported by a highly skilled and dedicated team of dietitians, working as part of a multidisciplinary approach. The service provides 12 months of tailored support, including one-to-one dietitian appointments and interactive group sessions. Where needed, patients may also receive input from a specialist consultant or psychologist.
Dietetic support focuses on nutrition education, behaviour change, and effective eating techniques. Patients will develop practical skills to overcome unhealthy eating habits and be empowered to make informed choices, supporting long-term health and well-being.
Some patients may proceed to bariatric (weight loss) surgery after completing 12 months in the weight management service. Those who undergo surgery receive dedicated support from our team of specialist Bariatric Dietitians throughout their surgical journey and for up to two years post-operation.
Waiting times
There has been unprecedented growth both nationally and locally in demand for weight management services driven primarily by:
- increased awareness of weight-gain and changing attitudes to weight and health across the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
- increased awareness and acceptance of bariatric surgery as an effective treatment option for obesity.
- the launch of weight medication including Saxenda, Wegovy and Mounjaro (and associated media coverage) as a treatment option for Tier 3 teams.
Given the current rise in referrals, waiting times for some patients are longer than expected.
We understand this can be frustrating and apologise for the wait.
GP Referral
University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust or Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust both run weight management programmes, for patient with a Birmingham or Solihull GP. You will only be referred to these services if a doctor has assessed that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
Bariatric Surgery Criteria – University Hospitals Birmingham only
- People with a body mass index of more than 50
- People with a body mass index of more than 35 AND type 2 diabetes (for less than 10 years)
Weight management – University Hospitals Birmingham and Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust
- Precancerous or cancerous conditions in which weight management would improve outcomes by allowing access to treatments that were too high risk at starting BMI
- Patients requiring weight loss for solid organ transplantation.
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) requiring frequent lumber punctures and/or visual compromise.
- Patients undergoing planned time sensitive surgery (including bariatric surgery) for life-limiting conditions*, where high BMI is the primary barrier to surgery and weight loss would be beneficial.
- Weight loss is required for assisted conception in women under the care of a fertility service, in cases where weight loss would be beneficial.
- Severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and/or severe asthma.
- Proven genetic cause of obesity and not eligible for Setmelanotide
*Life-limiting defined as any condition where life is extended by the intervention.
Weight loss injections- tirzepatide/Mounjaro
About tirzepatide
- Tirzepatide works by supressing appetite centres in the brain that control gut hormones. It decreases the appetite and slows the movement of food passing through the body, making you feel fuller for longer.
- Clinical trials have shown tirzepatide can help people living with obesity lose up 20% of their starting body weight, depending on the dose and accompanying diet and lifestyle support.
- Tirzepatide can only be prescribed by a healthcare professional alongside programmes which support people to lose weight and live healthier lives by making changes to their diet and physical activity
- Tirzepatide comes as an injection, which can be self-administered once a week.
You can read the updated NICE guidelines for tirzepatide here
Can I access tirzepatide straight away?
- Introducing this new treatment to NICE’s estimated 3.4 million eligible patients requires the NHS in England to develop a completely new service for primary care and many healthcare professionals will need to be trained to deliver it. A staged approach will help manage demand on existing healthcare services. This allows the safe prescribing of tirzepatide and the appropriate support for patients.
- Tirzepatide will initially be offered to individuals facing the most significant health risks related to their weight, starting in spring 2025 through specialist weight management services (SWMS).
- Tirzepatide will not immediately be available and will not be accessible to everyone who wishes to use it. Initially, tirzepatide will only be available on the NHS to those expected to benefit the most. People who are eligible for tirzepatide through primary care services should only expect to start to get access by mid 2025.
You can learn more about tirzepatide and other services here Weight management :: NHS Birmingham and Solihull
Useful websites
Useful websites
Weight management for adults living with a physical, visual impairment, learning disability or autism Beezee Adults | Free Healthy Lifestyle Programme
The NHS digital weight management programme NHS England » How to access the programme
NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission programme Birmingham & Solihull: NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission – Momenta Newcastle
NHS weight loss surgery Weight loss surgery – NHS
Weight loss surgery patient info Weight Loss Surgery: Types, Benefits, and Risks
Active wellbeing programmes Our Projects & Services – The Active Wellbeing Society
Be Active memberships Be Active & Passport to Leisure Schemes | Birmingham Community Leisure Trust
Solihull on the move Get Moving – Solihull On The Move
Solihull Healthy weight programmes Healthy weight | solihull.gov.uk
Mental Health Support and more
Size Down Virtual
Size Down Virtual is an integral part of Tier 3 Weight Management. It includes one online group session per month for six months, conducted via Microsoft Teams. Each session will focus on different topics, and we will email you the relevant resources for each session.
To join Size Down Virtual, please email us to confirm your participation.
Once you’ve confirmed, we’ll send you an invitation to the email address you provided. If you don’t receive the email, be sure to check your junk folder. If you still can’t find it, please email us at sizedown@uhb.nhs.uk
In-person sessions are available upon request, but please note that places are limited.
After completing all the Size Down sessions, you will be scheduled for a 1-on-1 appointment with a dietitian.
Size Down Session 1 – Introduction
Size Down Session 2 – Values and Goals
Size Down session 3 – Next Steps
Size Down session 4 – Emotional Eating
