Service ideals and practical suggestions

We suggest that a weight management service should/ could encompass the following (this list is not definitive, but is offered as a suggestion, based on our experience):

A choice of services at various locations should be available so people’s needs are met. These could be:

• at GP practices, delivered by practice nurses, health care assistants or possibly community dietitians - practices could get together to form a ¬ìcluster group¬î as a way of sharing costs.
• via Community pharmacists - it has been shown that this is a particularly good route to reach minority groups.
• through community centres, healthy living zones and secondary care specialist services - most patients would be able to access and afford these type of services this way
• via commercial weight loss schemes such as Rosemary Conley, Weight-Watchers or Slimming World ¬ñ such schemes are funded by some PCT¬ís, thereby reaching people in deprived areas who wouldn¬ít normally be able to afford these programmes.

In order to be sustainable, healthy weight loss needs to be part of a programme that encourages a change in everyday behaviour. As will all behavioural-based interventions, patients will need to be supported through a range of services, dipping in and out as required.

Ensure Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)

Racial diversity awareness

Disability Discrimination Act compliance. This means in all its forms:

• ramps to get up to the clinics
• scales which take patients over 120kg
• tape measures which are long enough
• awareness of sensitive issues such as small toilets/cubicle areas
• training for all staff coming in contact with the patient

Services should be tailored to ensure access to all regardless of racial or social background