Health Innovation Manchester is collaborating with partners across Greater Manchester and industry to understand the obesity care pathway, inform how we can optimise current resources and reimagine new ways of working for obesity care and treatment in Greater Manchester.

Background

Obesity prevalence, the incidence of obesity-related morbidities and associated hospital admissions have risen over recent years with the UK having among the highest rates of obesity in the world. In the UK, this translates to worse population health and increased costs for the NHS estimated to grow to £9.7bn annually by 2050¹ There are significant inequalities in the rates of obesity; for example, by deprivation and ethnicity²

There is an acceptance by both clinicians and service managers that current service models do not demonstrate consistent successful treatment outcomes for those seeking support with their weight. However, there is a lack of understanding around the clinical pathway in general, including whether there are different pathways for co-morbid conditions associated with obesity such as fatty liver disease or Type 2 Diabetes.

Aims

Health Innovation Manchester is working with Eli Lilly & Company (Lilly UK) to understand and reimagine the obesity landscape in Greater Manchester.

The project aims to provide recommendations to local weight management service commissioners based on multiple service scenario simulations. The ultimate goal of the project is to identify an alternative, scalable approach to the management of eligible patients living with obesity throughout the 2-year obesity treatment timeline.

In order to maximise the impact of any weight management interventions, there needs to be an effective and efficient obesity service. This project will support redesigning the obesity pathway with an aim to improve patient outcomes.

Declaration of collaborative working

This project will be run as a Collaborative Working Agreement (CWA) in line with Clause 20 of the 2021 ABPI Code of Practice. Any benefits realised from the CWA i.e. improved clinic efficiencies will be realised at an organisational level by Health Innovation Manchester. No individual healthcare professional will benefit from the implementation of this agreement.

References

1. Tackling Obesities: Future Choices – Project Report (to be published imminently)
2. Fair Society Healthy Lives full report (parliament.uk)