Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to reduce waiting times for Tier 3 weight management services in Derbyshire.

Local authorities and the National Health Service provide weight management services to support their communities to achieve and maintain a healthier weight. These range from behavioural weight management programmes to specialist services for those living with obesity and the associated co-morbidities.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning NHS specialist weight management services and should consider local population need and the relevant guidance when commissioning these services.

The NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB commissions the Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust to deliver a Tier 3 specialist weight management service. Patients are offered weight management, lifestyle, and behaviour change advice on a one-to-one and group basis for up to 12 months.

The ICB is aware that there is currently limited prescribing capacity within the service, and there is work underway to re-design the weight management service pathway within Derbyshire.