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Recent NICE guidance recommends certain medications to support some people with a very high body mass index (BMI) to lose weight. These include semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro).

For GPs to precribe, the criteria is very strict and the support services needed to provide this treatment are not yet in place. Your GP cannot prescribe these for Obesity until these other services are commissioned by the Health Authority.

Criteria:

• People with a BMI of 40 or higher, or 37.5 or higher for individuals from Black, Asian, or other minority ethnic backgrounds. 

AND 

• Must have four out of five health conditions related to overweight or obesity (type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and vascular disease, high cholesterol, or obstructive sleep apnea)
• Where urgent weight loss is needed for critical surgery or treatment

“Tirzepatide, commonly known as Mounjaro, is a treatment approved by the NHS to help manage obesity and improve related health conditions. It is a weekly injection that mimics hormones in your gut to help you feel full for longer and manage blood sugar levels.

In trial conditions this medication and other similar medications have been shown to help people living with obesity lose on average 20% of their body weight. However, this is not the case for all patients and the medications are not always effective or appropriate for all patients.

If you are eligible for this treatment, we will be contacting you from November 2025 to discuss potential referral opportunities. Please note, there are only a small number of patients registered with our practice who are eligible in the initial cohort.

With your consent, your general practitioner will then refer you for assessment in the specialist weight management service found at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary where you will be assessed regarding your eligibility and suitability for these injected medications. The specialist team will also discuss other possible interventions they deem may be appropriate for your weight including the surgical options available to you also through the NHS. For those who do fit the criteria, medication therapy will be commenced and monitored within the hospital for up to 12 months of treatment.

If you're living with obesity or weight-related health issues, we understand that the journey can be emotional, frustrating, and difficult - especially when services feel out of reach.

If you have a BMI over 40 but don’t have the specific conditions to qualify for injectables but still wish to lose weight you can still be referred onto the specialist weight management service to discuss alternative weight management options. Please discuss this with your GP by contacting them directly to seek this referral.

Please visit Kirklees Council website for further information about Kirklees Wellness Service. https://kirkleeswellnessservice.co.uk/

The NHS website also has advice on making changes to your lifestyle to help you lose weight.  

Alternatively, Mounjaro is available privately.

You can read the West Yorkshire Health Authority Q&A here