The Royal College of Physicians welcomes the conclusions of working group report Joined up Clinical Pathways for Obesity.
Commenting on the report, RCP academic vice president and representative on the working group, Professor John Wass said:
The RCP first highlighted the complexity of commissioning obesity services in the 2013 report Action on Obesity. The unclear role of commissioners has led to a patchwork in the provision of obesity services which has prevented individuals from accessing vital services.
The conclusions of this report are a welcome first step in clarifying the complex commissioning process. We fully support the recommendation that tier three obesity services should be commissioned by clinical commissioning groups. These clinically led bodies have the right knowledge and expertise to commission the multidisciplinary services that are required to treat complex obesity.
Whilst health promotion campaigns and other preventative measures attempt to stem the tide of obesity, the NHS must better manage the large numbers of patients presenting with severe complex obesity. The RCP is working to support commissioners to understand their responsibilities and will soon be publishing guidance on the commissioning of tier three services.
For further information please contact Adam Reid, on 020 3075 1547 or email adam.reid@rcplondon.ac.uk
For further information on the Joined up Clinical Pathways for Obesity report, please contact NHS England press officer Christina Lloyd on christinalloyd@nhs.net
- Access the Royal College of Physicians' Action on Obesity report.
- Obesity services are divided into four tiers:
- Tier one - early intervention and prevention
- Tier two - weight management service
- Tier three - primary care and hospital specialist services
- Tier four - multidisciplinary specialist care including surgery
- As recommended by the Joined Up Clinical Pathways for Obesity report, tier three services will be commissioned by Clinical Commissioning Groups.