Mounjaro and Weight-Loss Injections

You may have seen recent media coverage about Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)—a new medication approved for weight loss in people with obesity.

Our local NHS commissioner, BOB ICB, is in the process of setting up the services needed to support access to this treatment. These services are not expected to be in place until later this year, and access will be limited to a small number of patients who meet strict national eligibility criteria. Patients will also get “wrap-around” care – including regular check-ups, support with exercising and advice on eating healthily, for example.

Current eligibility criteria for Tirzepatide include:

BMI of 40 (BMI >37.5 for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black, African or African-Caribbean family backgrounds) and FOUR ‘qualifying’ comorbidities as below:

• Hypertension
• Dyslipidaemia
• Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Type 2 Diabetes

OR

BMI of 40 (BMI >37.5 for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black, African or African-Caribbean family backgrounds) adn ONE of the following:

• Patients requiring urgent weight loss for organ transplant
• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) requring frequent lumbar puncture and/or visual compromise

At this time:

• We cannot prescribe Mounjaro or any other weight loss injections.
• We are not operating a waiting list.

We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

The OVIVA Weight Management Programme is available through the NHS and led by a team of experienced healthcare professionals. This personalised programme runs for 12 to 24 months and may include weight loss injections, depending on your eligibility and preferences.

The programme takes a holistic approach to your health, supporting you in areas such as:

• Nutrition and eating habits
• Physical activity and exercise
• Mental wellbeing and lifestyle changes

Eligibility Criteria

Much like the criteria above, OVIVA have a strict patient eligibility criteria:

BMI of 40 (BMI >37.5 for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black, African or African-Caribbean family backgrounds) and FOUR ‘qualifying’ comorbidities as below:

• Hypertension
• Dyslipidaemia
• Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Type 2 Diabetes

OR

BMI of 40 (BMI >37.5 for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black, African or African-Caribbean family backgrounds) adn ONE of the following:

• Patients requiring urgent weight loss for organ transplant
• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) requring frequent lumbar puncture and/or visual compromise

To be referred, you must also have previously attempted a structured weight loss programme (e.g., Slimming World, Weight Watchers, or equivalent)

This is a remote service. You should not be referred to a remote service for weight management if any of the following apply:

• If your underlying causes of overweight or obesity needs to be assessed
• You have additional complexities and feels that a remote service may not adequately meet your needs
• Specialist interventions are needed (such as complex eating disorder needing psychologist input)

Fit the Criteria?

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in joining the OVIVA programme, please complete the online referral form and include the following confirmations:

• I confirm that I meet all of the above eligibility criteria
• Please confirm which weight management programmes you have tried

PLEASE NOTE that current patient demand for this service exceeds capacity so though the local NHS commissioner are working on addressing this, please expect a long wait.