Written question asked by Earl Howe (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Warner (Labour) on Thursday, 7 July 2005.

NHS: Obesity and Slimming

Question: What is their view of the development of slimming on referral by Greater and Central Derby primary care trusts and Slimming World; what assessment they have made of the success of this project and the number of primary care trusts currently offering such referral schemes; and what steps they intend to take to promote trusts’ awareness and adoption of such schemes.

Answer: The Government are aware of the work of Slimming World in Greater and Central Derby primary care trust (PCT). The White Paper Choosing Health makes a commitment to look into the role the independent sector, including Slimming World and programmes such as slimming on referral, can play in providing effective behaviour change programmes.As part of the local delivery plan process, strategic health authorities are required to submit plans to tackle obesity. These have been received and are being assessed. The promised obesity care pathway, weight loss guide and obesity toolkit will help to support PCTs in delivering their plans, prior to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance in 2007.

Secondary information