Lincolnshire community-based Weight Management Service

NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) has successfully secured £3.7 million of national innovation funding through the Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP), funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and delivered by Innovate UK.

The programme is being delivered in partnership with the Primary Care Network Alliance (PCNA) and a range of health, care and community partners across Lincolnshire.

Developing a New community-based Weight Management Service

Lincolnshire’s programme will develop and test an innovative community-based weight management service designed to support people with more complex weight-related health needs. The aim is to improve access to support, reduce health inequalities and provide more joined-up care closer to home.

Importantly, this will complement existing weight management services already available across Lincolnshire. It is not intended to replace current services, but to explore how additional support can be provided for people who may require a more personalised and coordinated approach.

Why has Lincolnshire been chosen?

Lincolnshire was selected through a competitive national funding process in recognition of both the challenges faced by local communities and the opportunity to generate valuable learning that could support similar programmes across the country.

The county’s unique mix of large rural and coastal communities, health inequalities, travel challenges, and varying access to specialist services provides an ideal environment to test innovative approaches to care and support.

This programme will enable Lincolnshire to design, deliver and evaluate a new model of support that aims to improve accessibility, outcomes and patient experience. Importantly, it will also generate evidence and insights about what works well, helping to inform future national approaches and potentially support the adoption of successful elements of the concept model in other areas of England.

What is the focus?

The focus is to support people with more complex weight-related health needs, particularly those who may experience additional barriers to accessing support.

Key areas of focus include:

  • Improving access to support closer to home.
  • Reducing health inequalities.
  • Supporting rural and coastal communities.
  • Improving outcomes for people with complex health needs.
  • Providing more personalised support through multidisciplinary teams.
  • Better connecting healthcare, community services and local support networks.

What Could Future Support Include?

This is currently being designed and developed, but the model is expected to include a range of support options tailored to individual needs. These may include:

  • Clinical assessment and support.
  • Nutritional and dietary advice.
  • Psychological and emotional wellbeing support.
  • Health and wellbeing coaching.
  • Community and social support opportunities.
  • Face-to-face, telephone and digital options to improve accessibility.

The focus is on helping people achieve sustainable improvements in their health and wellbeing through personalised support that reflects their individual circumstances and goals..

An Innovation and Learning Programme

This is an innovation and evaluation programme, meaning the model will be developed, tested, refined and improved throughout its lifespan. Learning will be gathered through patient feedback, community engagement, service data and independent evaluation.

The programme is being supported by evaluation partners, including Health Innovation East Midlands (HIEM) to help build evidence about what works, for whom, and how future services can be improved; it is scheduled to run until March 2029.

Current Status

The programme is currently in the mobilisation and design phase. During this period, partners will continue to work with clinicians, community organisations, stakeholders and people with lived experience to help shape the future service.

The final model will continue to evolve as learning, engagement and evaluation activities progress.

Stay Updated

As the programme develops, this webpage will be updated with:

  • Programme news and updates.
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
  • Opportunities to get involved.
  • Information about future access arrangements.
  • Links to local weight management services and support.

We encourage residents, professionals and community organisations to check back regularly for the latest information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Funding/Mobilisation

  • What has actually been announced for Lincolnshire?

    Lincolnshire has been chosen as one of the areas to take part in a national programme to improve obesity care. This will bring new, more specialist support closer to home for people who need it.

  • Is this a new NHS service or something else?

    It will be delivered as part of the NHS locally, but it is funded through a national innovation programme supported by government and industry to test new ways of providing care.

  • Is this service available now? Can I join?

    Not yet. A programme of work is currently underway to design and develop the service. More information on how to access it will be shared once it is ready to launch.

  • When will the service start?

    The service is due to commence in January 2027 and is expected to run until March 2029.

  • Why has Lincolnshire been chosen?

    Lincolnshire was successfully awarded funding through a competitive national process to help deliver the programme's objectives and explore innovative approaches that could inform future service development across England.

     

    Building on its diverse communities and unique geography, the programme will develop and evaluate new models of support designed to improve access, reduce inequalities and generate valuable learning that may benefit other areas facing similar challenges.

  • Does this replace existing weight management services?

    No. This is designed to complement, rather than replace, existing services. It will provide an enhanced level of support for individuals with more complex weight-related health needs, including access to a multidisciplinary team and specialist input where additional support is required.

  • Who is designing the service?

    Lincolnshire ICB has appointed the Primary Care Network Alliance (PCNA) to deliver this. They will work in partnership with the ICB to design the model, ensuring that key stakeholders are closely involved, including clinicians, community partners, and people with lived experience.

  • How will you make sure this works?

    There will be a comprehensive evaluation of the programme, examining patient outcomes, experiences, and the extent to which it improves access and reduces health inequalities. People with lived experience will play a key role throughout the programme, helping to co-design and shape the service to ensure it meets the needs of local communities and delivers a patient-centred approach.

  • Why is a pharmaceutical company involved?

    The programme includes funding from both government and industry to support innovation. All care decisions will follow NHS and national clinical guidance.

  • Will this continue long term?

    Testing will be undertaken first. If it is successful, it could help shape future services across the country.

Understanding the Service