Information for patients on weight loss injections
3 July 2025
Many of our patients have been contacting the surgery to ask about weight loss injections as these have been in the news recently.
Several weight loss injections have been developed including Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide). These work by making you feel full, so you eat less.
At present these medications can only be prescribed to eligible patients by specialist weight management services. However, national guidance has been shared to help the NHS provide Mounjaro (tirzepatide) more widely.
Mounjaro is to be used at the same time as eating fewer calories and increasing physical activity for adults. Unlike other weight loss medicines, it will be prescribable by doctors in local GP practices. However, patients will still need extra support, known as ‘wrap around care’, to help them make long-term changes to their lifestyle to maintain a healthy weight. Lifestyle changes and good habits make the biggest difference in staying at a healthy weight.
The NHS has a long-term plan to make Mounjaro widely available. It will be offered to limited groups of patients based on eligibility criteria, in stages, over the next few years. However, this will take time – possibly up to 12 years – to ensure services can manage the demand.
The local Integrated Care Board (ICB) is still working with local GP practices on how to introduce Mounjaro and to commission the wrap around care needed.
Therefore, at the present time Forge Health Group cannot prescribe weight loss injections until a plan is in place.
Please do not contact our practice to ask for tirzepatide for weight loss at this time. GP practices are very busy and handling extra enquiries will take up time that could be used for patient appointments. Once a local plan is agreed, access to the medication for patients who are eligible will made be available.
What if I have diabetes?
These medications can be used for the treatment of some people with type 2 diabetes. Only some patients with diabetes are eligible. We cannot start them in general practice but can refer eligible diabetic patients to the diabetes nurses to consider injections. You can ask about this at your next routine diabetes review.
What we offer right now?
At Forge Health Group, we know how important weight management is for your health. You can access free support with weight loss through Morelife Sheffield (Tier 2 weight management). This is a 12-week programme which can be offered as face-to-face sessions locally or online on Zoom. This covers mindful eating, stress and emotional eating.
You can self-refer here.
The NHS offers a weight loss app which can be found here.
Appointments can also be made with our healthcare assistants for weight checks and advice on healthy eating and exercise via reception.
Can I be referred to specialist weight management services for injections?
Some patients with more severe obesity and related health problems can be referred to specialist weight management services (tier 3 weight management). To be eligible for this the person must have either
- Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more
- OR Body Mass Index of 35 or more AND type 2 diabetes or other obesity related health problems.
To be referred for specialist weight management services (tier 3) you MUST have completed a 12-week programme with Morelife Sheffield (Tier 2) in the last 12 months.
Please therefore self-refer and complete a programme with Morelife Sheffield first and only contact the practice if you require additional support AFTER completing this.
Can I get weight loss injections privately?
Some of our patients have chosen to access weight loss injections privately. If you choose to do this, we advise ensuring you use a reputable UK registered service and have a consultation with a UK licenced health professional. These medications should not be used by people who are not clinically obese. You should give any service accurate details of your medical history to ensure they are prescribing safely and appropriately. You can access your medical records through the NHS app to share with them.
Buying prescription-only medicines without a prescription, from illegally trading suppliers, significantly increases the risk of receiving something which is either fake or not licensed for use in the UK. Just in our practice, we have seen several patients admitted to hospital having taken unlicensed and unregulated weight loss medications bought on the internet who have had severe reactions.
