Weight Loss, Supervised by a Doctor
Getting to a healthy weight does more for your long-term health than almost anything else you can do. It lowers your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and several cancers, takes load off your joints, and usually leaves you with more energy.
For plenty of people, diet and exercise alone have not worked, often after years of trying. We treat weight as a medical problem rather than a test of willpower.
Prescribed and Monitored by a GP
Every prescription is issued by an experienced GP, with regular follow-up appointments to check how you are getting on.
How the Service Works
This is a GP-led service. We do not offer quick fixes, and we do not hand over a prescription and leave you to it. What we offer is medication where it is appropriate, alongside the lifestyle side, with someone keeping an eye on both.
GLP-1 Medication
After a full consultation, our doctors may prescribe a GLP-1 receptor agonist such as semaglutide, if it is clinically appropriate for you.
These are usually a weekly injection. They copy a hormone your body already makes to regulate appetite, and they:
- Reduce hunger and cravings.
- Make you feel full sooner.
- Help regulate blood sugar.
A note on the rules: These are prescription-only medicines. They cannot be dispensed without a consultation, they are not suitable for everyone, and they are prescribed strictly within UK clinical guidelines to patients who meet the BMI criteria and whose medical history allows it.
What Happens
1. First appointment (30 minutes)
You will see one of our GPs to go through your weight history, your lifestyle and what you want to achieve. We will examine you and review your medical history to check treatment is safe for you. You may need recent blood tests to check kidney, liver and thyroid function before starting.
2. Your plan
If you are eligible, your doctor will issue the prescription and show you exactly how to take it. We will also talk about food, sleep and movement, which is what keeps the weight off afterwards.
3. Follow-up
We see you regularly, monthly at first, to:
- Check how the weight loss is going.
- Adjust the dose safely.
- Deal with any side effects.
- Keep you going when it gets dull.
Who Can Be Treated
The service is for patients with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 and above with a weight-related health condition. We cannot treat anyone with a history of eating disorders, certain thyroid conditions, or who is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Pricing
Initial Assessment Consultation (30 minutes)
£170
Follow-Up / Review Consultation (20 minutes)
£125
Monthly Medication Cost
Variable
The medication is charged separately from the appointment, and the cost depends on the drug and the dose.
