Weight Management Medication Policy
Weight Management Medication Policy
Trinity Court Surgery is governed by NHS England guidance and the policies of NHS Coventry & Warwickshire Integrated Care Board (ICB).
We are only permitted to prescribe medications in line with the local formulary and commissioning arrangements approved by the ICB. Whilst weight loss medications such as Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) and Wegovy® (semaglutide) have received national approval for specific patient groups, GP practices must follow local commissioning policies and strict eligibility criteria before these medications can be prescribed on the NHS.
NHS England Eligibility Criteria
Under current NHS England guidance, eligibility for specialist weight management medication is restricted to patients with:
A BMI of 40 kg/m² or above (or **37.5 kg/m² or above for people from minority ethnic backgrounds)
AND
Four out of the following five conditions:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heart and vascular disease
- High cholesterol (dyslipidaemia)
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
Patients who meet the eligibility criteria will be referred to a specialist NHS weight management service, where assessment and prescribing will be undertaken. Patients must also engage with an NHS commissioned lifestyle and behavioural support programme as part of their treatment.
NHS Coventry & Warwickshire ICB Position (July 2026)
The NHS is undertaking a phased rollout of weight loss medications, including tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and other GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide (Wegovy), for a limited group of eligible patients.
However, in Coventry and Warwickshire, these medications are not currently available through GP practices for the treatment of obesity. The ICB is developing a community-based weight management service that will provide access to weight loss medications alongside structured lifestyle support and clinical monitoring.
Until this service is fully established:
- GPs cannot initiate or prescribe Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for weight management.
- GPs cannot initiate or prescribe Wegovy (semaglutide) for weight management.
- GPs cannot refer patients into the new service until referrals are opened by the ICB.
- Patients who meet national eligibility criteria should not request these medications through routine GP appointments, as access is currently unavailable locally.
Once the new service becomes operational, all referrals, prescribing, monitoring and follow-up care will be managed through the specialist weight management service.
Can I Get Weight Loss Medication From My GP?
No.
At present, GPs in Coventry and Warwickshire cannot prescribe tirzepatide (Mounjaro), semaglutide (Wegovy), or any other GLP-1 weight loss medication for obesity management through the NHS.
Access to these medications will only be available through the commissioned specialist weight management service when it becomes operational. GP practices are currently unable to refer patients into the service or commence NHS treatment plans for weight management medications.
Can I Access Weight Loss Medications Privately?
Some private providers offer weight loss medications such as:
- Mounjaro® (tirzepatide)
- Wegovy® (semaglutide)
- Other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines
If you choose to access treatment privately, you will remain under the care of the private provider responsible for:
- Prescribing
- Clinical monitoring
- Follow-up care
- Management of side effects
The NHS will not routinely take over prescribing, monitoring, or follow-up arrangements for patients who begin treatment privately.
We are also aware that some providers may offer weight loss medication through the NHS Right to Choose pathway. Coventry & Warwickshire ICB does not currently commission or endorse any Right to Choose weight management medication services, as these do not presently meet the ICB's requirements for comprehensive wraparound support and clinical oversight.
Why Are We Taking This Approach?
We want to ensure weight management services are:
- Fair and equitable, targeting those with the greatest clinical need
- Safe, with appropriate assessment, monitoring and structured support
- Sustainable, without overwhelming GP practices or NHS resources
More than 65% of adults in Coventry and Warwickshire are living with overweight or obesity. We are committed to delivering a high-quality service that meets clinical need whilst protecting NHS resources and ensuring patients receive appropriate long-term support.
Further Information
Weight loss medications, including Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide), are expected to be delivered through the new specialist weight management service once commissioned by Coventry & Warwickshire ICB.
No referrals can currently be made from Primary Care (GP surgeries) until the service is launched.
We will contact eligible patients as soon as the service becomes available and referral pathways are established.
