Now is the ideal time to focus on optimising your weight. Being overweight is linked with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and increased risk of diseases affecting the lung, liver and joints. People living with increased weight also have an increased risk of certain cancers, including being three times more likely to develop colon cancer.
We know that losing weight can improve self-esteem and improve our mood also.
We're here to support you, and there are some great services available.
Weight loss jabs
e.g. Wegovy, Mounjaro: We are aware of private providers prescribing weight loss injections for patients. At present, this is cannot be prescribed by GPs in the UK (on the NHS) AND cannot be monitored by the GP (e.g. we cannot provide blood tests/advice on these). Please note that certain medication such as contraception and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be affected by these injections. Please go back to the provider of this injection for any concerns with this. Some patients can have these injections on the NHS but this is via referral to Tier 3 services (see below).
Private weight loss surgery
If you’re thinking about private bariatric or weight loss surgery, please note that we follow national and local guidelines. Private surgery requires you to arrange and budget for private specialist aftercare e.g. blood tests, medical review etc. for at least two years, as the follow-up care is complex and not provided by GP practices or the NHS. Patients cannot mix NHS-funded and privately funded care within the same treatment.
The NHS does not routinely provide post-surgery care for patients who have had bariatric surgery privately or abroad, except for emergency treatment. After completing your private aftercare, you can access the same ongoing support from the NHS as those who had their surgery within the NHS.
Facts:
With children, obesity levels in Coventry are higher than the England average, with around 22% of Reception children and 41.1% of Year 6 children classed as overweight and/or obese. Within Warwickshire, 21.3% of Reception children and 35.9% of Year 6 children are classed as overweight and/or obese.
Nationally, nearly two-thirds of adults in England are overweight or obese. 65.3% of Coventry adults and 66.2% Warwickshire adults (aged 18+) were classified as overweight or obese. (Source: ICB, 2025)
Things you can do:
Knowledge is power
Calculate your body mass index (BMI) using the BMI Calculator
‘Know Your Risk tool’ self assessment of the risk of getting diabetes
Diabetes awareness and information
Downloading The NHS Weight Loss app below allows you to start a 12 week programme straight away, with one simple download on your mobile device. https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight/
This free app takes you through a 12-week plan which will help you set weight loss goals, plan your meals, make healthier food choices, get more active and burn more calories, and record your progress.
Refer yourself to the Lifestyle clinic: This is a Free Weight Management Education Programme and group activity based at Clarendon Lodge and available for patients registered with a Leamington GP.
Lifestyle Clinic - Clarendon Lodge Medical Practice
Increase physical activity:
Whatever your age, there’s strong evidence that being physically active can help you lead a healthier and even happier life.
To prevent obesity, most people may need to do 45–60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a day.
If you have lived with obesity and have lost weight that you may need to do 60–90 minutes of activity a day to avoid regaining weight.
See some advice below on physical activity which varies depending on your age, fitness and ability:
Physical activity for early years: birth to 5 years
Physical activity for children and young people: 5 to 18 years
Physical activity for adults and older adults
Physical activity for disabled adults
There are also other ways to enjoy physical activity around Warwickshire: Get active – Warwickshire County Council
Improving your diet:
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best and we’ve included some resources below:
Quit smoking - NHS / https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/healthylifestyle
If you are struggling with the cost of healthy eating, you can have a chat with our social prescriber and have a look a look at information on the Warwickshire Council website: Feeding your family – Warwickshire County Council
Things our admin team can help with (please call the surgery/send an e-consult)
Referral to Digital Weight Management – a 12-week online behavioural and lifestyle programme referred by the surgery, if you have a diagnosis of Diabetes and/or high blood pressure and can use a smartphone/computer with internet access
Referral to Fitter Futures - a service which includes referral to Gym referrals - maximum BMI 40 (other eligibility criteria needs to be reviewed)
Things your GP/health professional can help with (please book for an appointment to discuss this):
Medication (usually used if BMI is over 28 with other conditions such as diabetes or if your BMI is over 30kg/m2)
- Certain medication e.g. Orlistat: usually given a 12 week trial and prescriptions are continued if there is a 5% weight loss at 3 months (also available over the counter from pharmacies)
- We cannot prescribe weight loss jabs on the NHS (see above)
Referral to Tier 3 Weight Management services (based at UHCW Hospital) and has certain eligibility criteria such as:
- Age ≥ 18 years
- AND *BMI >40kg/m2
- OR BMI >35 kg/m2 with related conditions that are likely to improve with weight loss such as Diabetes, Hypertension or Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
- OR BMI of 30 kg/m2 or more with type 2 diabetes of less than 10 years duration (this BMI threshold should be reduced to 27.5 kg/m2 if the patient is of Asian family origin)
- Lower BMI thresholds are used if someone is of South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family background
- Treatment options include access to dietician, review of physical activity and consideration of weight loss injections (but this is not guaranteed and subject to national availability)
- South Asian patients can be referred with a BMI equal to or greater than 35 without co-morbidities
- Referral for consideration of Tier 4 (Bariatric Surgery) after engagement with Tier 3 services for at least 1 year and after discussion with other health professionals
Other useful resources:
Henry - Healthy Start, Brighter Future
Compass - Connect for Health
https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/healthylifestyle
https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-service-warwickshire
Weight Management Services and Pathways - Happy Healthy Lives
All information is correct up to June 2025, but may be subject to change
