Adult Weight Management

Our three NHS Boards are working together to deliver targeted weight management intervention programmes for adults with or at risk of type 2 diabetes, which meet the National Service Delivery Standards. By adopting a common approach, we aim to ensure that all those in need across the East of Scotland can access the same high-quality support – irrespective of their postcode.

Individuals are referred to their local Adult Weight Management and Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Service, where the team then work with them to identify which intervention programme is best suited to their needs.

 

New Intervention Programmes

Get Moving with Counterweight

A one-year healthy lifestyle programme which supports you to eat well, get active and manage your weight for life.

The programme includes:

  • Healthy eating, active living and behaviour change sessions
  • Fun group exercise classes
  • Support to lose 5-10% of your body weight and maintain this

The interactive, practical group sessions are delivered by health coaches from local leisure providers. This programme is designed by Counterweight Ltd and tailored to suit the needs of our local populations.

Let’s Prevent Diabetes

A six-hour group education programme which supports you to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The programme includes:

  • Information about how to prevent type 2 diabetes, the causes and risk factors
  • Practical healthy lifestyle advice
  • Peer support and the opportunity to share experiences with others

The interactive, informal group sessions are led by a team of trained facilitators. This programme forms part of the national Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed (DESMOND) package of support, designed by the NHS and Leicester Diabetes Centre.

Type 2 Diabetes Remission through Counterweight-Plus

A two-year intensive weight loss programme which aims to help those living with type 2 diabetes to achieve and maintain remission.

The programmes involves three key stages:

  • Total Diet Replacement (TDR) of nutritional soups and shakes
  • Food reintroduction
  • Long term weight-loss maintenance

Regular 1:1 sessions with one of our specialist dietitians are provided throughout the programme, including the option to receive emotional support from a clinical psychologist. The programme is designed by Counterweight Ltd and based on ground-breaking evidence from the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT).

Gestational Diabetes Education

Our Gestational Diabetes Education programme offers enhanced postnatal support for women with gestational diabetes.

The programme involves:

  • Specialist support within seven days of diagnosis
  • Practical healthy lifestyle advice
  • The opportunity to take part in Let’s Prevent Diabetes to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes

This programme is delivered by the local gestational diabetes community dietetics teams. We are working together across the region to further improve the support available.

Local areas are offering virtual and face-to-face sessions in line with the latest government guidance, to ensure that we continue to support patients throughout COVID-19.

Implementing the National Service Delivery Standards

Alongside delivery of these new intervention programmes, our three NHS Boards are also working together to implement the National Adult Weight Management Service Delivery Standards – published in 2019 by Public Health Scotland.

In 2021/22, our three NHS Boards will:

  • Complete an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) and Fairer Scotland Assessment of all programmes
  • Produce a plan to address the inequities and gaps identified in these assessments
  • Implement an operational referral and treatment pathway for the four new intervention programmes – with digital and face-to-face options

Our programme team continue to track progress against the standards and support local service teams to implement.

Get in Touch

Partners and professionals

To find out more about our work or get involved, please contact:

Kerry Aitken, Clinical Lead
Email: Kerry.Aitken2@nhs.scot
Phone: 01383 674087

Patients and the public

To find out more about a programme and how to participate, please contact:

NHS Lothian: Weight Management Service 
Contact us by emailing weight.management@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

NHS Fife: Weight Management Service
Contact us by emailing Fife-UHB.Fawms@nhs.scot

NHS Borders: Weight Management Service
Contact us by emailing Bordersweight.managementteam@borders.scot.nhs.uk