Northern Ireland’s first dedicated obesity management service has been approved by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, with the initial phase set to launch early next year.
The groundbreaking service will primarily develop community-based care where patients can access lifestyle support and obesity medications when clinically appropriate. For the first time, health service patients in Northern Ireland will have access to specialist weight management provision, including what the Department of Health described as “innovative weight loss injections/medications” in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) guidance.
“This is a very significant step forward. I have many competing demands on a seriously overstretched budget but I was determined to prioritise this area,” said Minister Nesbitt, highlighting the scale of the challenge with 65% of adults and 26% of children in Northern Ireland currently living with obesity or being overweight.
The service will be implemented gradually to ensure safety and effectiveness, with patient numbers increasing over time. Future phases will develop additional interventions such as bariatric (weight loss) surgery, subject to available funding.
Nesbitt emphasized that those living with obesity face higher risks of major health conditions including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. The initiative aligns with his stated priority to “shift our health service’s focus from treating ill people to helping them stay healthy.”
The minister also noted that obesity contributes to health inequalities across Northern Ireland, with higher prevalence in disadvantaged communities (68%) compared to less disadvantaged areas (62%).
The economic impact is substantial, with a 2015 study estimating the combined healthcare and productivity costs of overweight and obesity in Northern Ireland at €490.4 million annually.
The Department of Health is finalizing a “Healthy Futures” obesity strategic framework, which it aims to publish later this year. The new service will bring Northern Ireland into alignment with obesity management approaches already established elsewhere in the UK.