Health Minister has given the go-ahead for a
new Regional Obesity Management Service for Northern Ireland.
The new Service will be the first of its kind in NI with its
first phase scheduled to start in early 2026.
This phase will focus on the development of a community-based
service where patients will have access to lifestyle support as
well as obesity medication, if clinically appropriate.
Currently, health service patients in NI do not have access to
specialist weight management provision – including innovative
weight loss injections/medications.
This service will support access to weight loss medication in
line with NICE guidance. Rollout will be carefully managed in a
phased manner to ensure that treatment is provided in a safe and
effective manner.
Further phases of the Regional Obesity Management Service (ROMS)
will develop, subject to funding, other interventions such as
bariatric (weight loss) surgery.
The Minister's announcement follows a public consultation by the
Department of Health on the proposed ROMS introduction.
Mr Nesbitt commented: “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.
“Obesity is a significant public health issue in Northern
Ireland, with 65% of adults and 26% of children living with
obesity or overweight.
“Those living with being overweight or obese are at a
higher risk of a range of major health conditions including heart
disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
“As I have repeatedly emphasised, my ambition is to shift
our health's service focus from treating ill people to helping
them stay healthy.
“I have also made health inequalities one of my main
areas of focus as Minister. Obesity is a contributing factor to
health inequalities. It is more prevalent in the most
disadvantaged communities (68%) compared to the least
disadvantaged (62%).
“Establishing a Regional Obesity Management Service will
also bring us into line with other parts of the UK. It will be a
phased introduction and will take time and sustained investment
to be fully established. Implementation will be taken forward in
a carefully managed way to ensure that it operates effectively,
with patient numbers building up gradually. Today is nevertheless
a very important day for public health.”
The annual cost of obesity to society as a whole in NI is
substantial. A 2015 study focusing on estimating both the
healthcare and productivity costs of overweight and obesity in NI
put this at circa £414 million a year.
In November 2023, the Department launched a consultation seeking
views from the public on the introduction of an obesity
management service. The outcome of the consultation, which
yielded just under 19,000 responses, was overwhelming in favour
of introducing this service to Northern Ireland.
A report summarising the public consultation on the proposed ROMS
introduction is published today: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/proposed-regional-obesity-management-service-roms-northern-ireland
Plans for the Regional Obesity Management Service sit within the
Department of Health's wider obesity strategic Framework ‘Healthy
Futures'. Consultations on both ran simultaneously, with joint
engagement events taking place to enable stakeholders to address
issues spanning both. A ‘Healthy Futures' consultation analysis
report, outlining the findings of the public consultation on the
vision, principles, themes, and population-level outcomes for the
new obesity strategic framework is also being published today.
A copy of the report is available online at https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/strategic-framework-prevent-harm-caused-obesity-and-improve-diets-and-levels-physical-activity.
The consultation findings indicate overwhelming support and
emphasise the need to redouble efforts to prevent overweight and
obesity, while also calling for a holistic, patient-centred
approach to obesity management. Respondents have highlighted the
importance of addressing health inequalities, promoting community
engagement, and ensuring equitable access to resources and
support for marginalised populations. The focus is shifting from
individual responsibility to systemic changes that foster
healthier environments.
Work is now well advanced on the finalisation of the ‘Healthy
Futures' obesity strategic framework, with an aim to publish this
in 2025.
Notes to editors
1. The 2015 study can be read here: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/3/e006189
