FOI240283: Local guidelines and policies for the treatment of obesity

Released 17 July 2024

Request:

1. Does University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust have any local guidelines or policies for the treatment of obesity? Yes/no. If yes, please provide a copy.
   
2. Does University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust have referral pathways for Tier 3 or Tier 4 weight management services? Yes/no. If yes, please provide a copy.

Information disclosed:

1. No, the Trust follows NICE guidelines in respect of surgical treatment for obesity.

2. No, although there are no formalised local pathways in respect of referrals into Tier 4 weight management services, some of the Trust’s services (e.g. Neurology, Respiratory, Gynaecology, MSK) have established links where patients fulfilling NICE criteria who require assessment by Tier contact our Bariatric Service. 

The Trust is not commissioned to provide Tier 3 weight management services; therefore we do not have a specific referral pathway for this.

If clinicians feel that a Tier 3 service is indicated, usual practice is that a request is made for the primary care physician to refer directly, as they may be in possession of details required by the Tier 3 provider that are not available in secondary care.