Cutting-edge obesity treatments and technologies which can help
people shed 20% of their weight could soon be offered to NHS
patients thanks to a £20 million research boost, the government
has announced.
Obesity costs the NHS a massive £6 billion annually and this is
set to rise to over £9.7 billion each year by 2050. The new
investment, announced today, is expected to save the NHS billions
over time and ensure that vital funds are spent on key frontline
services.
The fund will help develop new medicines and digital
technologies, such as apps and online portals to encourage
lifestyle changes, which have been shown in clinical trials to be
safe and lead to a significant reduction in weight.
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“Having a fit and healthy population is essential to reducing
pressure on the NHS and supporting the economy with obesity,
currently estimated to cost the NHS nearly £10 billion per year
by 2050.
“We are fast-tracking the most promising treatments and
technologies to NHS patients to help them achieve a healthy
weight, save the NHS billions of pounds and increase life
expectancy.
“We are determined to harness the full potential of innovative
medical breakthroughs to level up the health of the nation.”
An open competition will be run in early 2023 to identify sites
to deliver this research, exploring how new and potentially
transformative medicines can be combined with technologies such
as digital tools to improve long-term health outcomes for people
living with obesity. Research will be focused outside of London
and the Greater South East, in the areas where obesity rates and
health disparities are highest.
Tomorrow [Monday 28 November] the government will announce a
Vaccine Taskforce approach to tackling some of the leading public
health issues which damage the economy and drain NHS resources.
Four healthcare missions will be launched, covering obesity,
cancer, mental health and addiction to quickly develop and
deliver new treatments, technology and support to patients to
help them lead longer, healthier lives.
This builds upon the UK Life Sciences Vision published in July
2021 which sets out a 10-year strategy to harness the successes
of the Covid response and accelerate the delivery of innovation
to patients.
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Further information on the healthcare missions will be
outlined on Monday.
