GPs or other healthcare professionals can now refer eligible patients into the new service following a discussion about using tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) as part of their overall weight-loss journey. Professionals working for the new service will decide if tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) is the most appropriate option for a patient based on a full clinical assessment and discussion.
The Integrated Care Board has commissioned local GP Providers from each of the three locality areas in Hertfordshire and west Essex to provide the new service. This means that patients who are referred into the service will be seen by a GP or other healthcare professional from their local area (which may not be at their usual GP practice) who will assess if they meet the criteria for tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) and provide ongoing support and monitoring.
Alongside this, patients will also be referred into a nine-month lifestyle support programme. This programme is designed to help people make lasting changes to diet, physical activity, sleep and wellbeing, with regular guidance and check-ins to support healthy weight loss. Taking part in this programme is an important part of treatment which patients will need to continue in order to stay on tirzepatide (Mounjaro®).
Eligible patients who have already been referred following a discussion with their GP or other healthcare professional will be hearing from the respective three providers over the next few weeks.
As outlined in the national guidance, in the first instance, only people with the highest medical need will be able to be prescribed tirzepatide on the NHS, in line with national NHS England guidance. It is being made available for a small number of people whose body mass index is 40 or more (or 37.5 or more if the person is from a higher risk ethnic background*) and who have been diagnosed with four or more specific obesity-related health conditions.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) cannot be prescribed simply by asking your GP. Access is only through the referral and assessment process of this new service.
Further details on how each of the local services will operate will be shared in the coming weeks once delivery is underway.
Eligibility
NHS England has decided that to be considered for tirzepatide (Mounjaro®), people must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40* or more and have at least four of the five related health conditions below. These are:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension) — requiring treatment with medication
- Heart and blood vessel disease (cardiovascular disease) — such as ischaemic heart disease, stroke, heart failure, or peripheral vascular disease. (This does not include conditions such as atrial fibrillation or valvular heart disease.)
- Obstructive sleep apnoea — confirmed by a sleep study and requiring treatment, such as CPAP.
- High cholesterol or triglycerides) — usually based on blood test results or if you take medication like statins.
* If you are from a South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds your body mass index (BMI) should be 37.5 or more.
Use the NHS body mass index calculatorPatients who are not eligible or suitable for tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) may be able to access other weight management services and support.