Please kindly note the following information before completing the referral:
From January 2026, patients who meet the updated eligibility criteria will be able to access the service via a referral from their GP.
This referral form must be completed by a health care professional. If you would like to be referred onto this service please speak to your GP.
Eligibility criteria:
Residents aged 16+ living in Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde with a:
- BMI >50 kg/m
OR - BMI >40 kg/m2 with at least one major obesity-related condition
- AND recent screening (i.e. within the last three months) to include a measure of blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and the following blood tests: TSH, HBA1C, Lipid Profile, Liver Function tests including ALT.
Please note: We are unable to progress referrals unless these blood tests and measures have been undertaken. Our service is not funded or commissioned to investigate other endocrine or genetic causes of obesity (such as Cushing's syndrome). If you would like these condition to be excluded, please refer the patient to Endocrinology.
Major/Higher-impact comorbidities:
- Type 2 Diabetes,
- Obstructive sleep apnoea,
- Severe hypertension on > 2 agents,
- Idiopathic intracranial HTN,
- NAFLD/NASH
- Severe osteoarthritis of the spine, hips or knees - awaiting surgery,
- Weight-related infertility or PCOS - awaiting fertility treatment,
- Established atherosclerotic CVD (history of MI, CVA, TIA, IHD or PVD),
- Heart failure where obesity is a significant contributing factor,
- Requiring life prolonging surgery/intervention that can only take place at a lower BMI.
Not considered major comorbidities:
Hypertension (<2 agents), impaired fasting glucose, dyslipidaemia alone, mild osteoarthritis, PCOS and not currently seeking fertility treatment, gout, asthma, stress incontinence, or heart failure unrelated to obesity.
Fast-track Referral Process:
We will only expedite referrals if we receive written confirmation that a life-prolonging medical procedure (e.g. organ transplant or cardiac surgery) can only take place using a specific weight or body mass index cut-off.
Important Information re: GLP1s:
GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies like Semaglutide (Wegovy) and Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) are not available within our Tier 3 Weight Management Service due to funding constraints. Patients requiring these medications should be managed through alternative pathways as per local prescribing guidance.
In November 2025, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) approved a policy for prescribing tirzepatide (Mounjaro). Under this policy, GP practices will identify and contact eligible patients based on ICB criteria.
Eligibility - First Priority Group:
Patient must meet all of the following:
- BMI >40 (>37.5 for people from minority ethnic family backgrounds)
- Reside in an area ranked among the most deprived according to the Government's Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD-1)
- Have at least four of these long term conditions:
- Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)
- Hypertension (HTN)
- Dyslipdaemia
- Established cardiovascular disease (CVD)
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
Important Notes:
- Tirzepatide should be combined with dietary and lifestyle advice to maximise effectiveness and maintain results after treatment ends.
- Therefore, these patients will be prioritised and placed at the top of our waiting list for timely access.
- Our role is limited to essential lifestyle support only. We cannot provide drug monitoring or dose titration.
Weight Loss Surgery:
We can still move suitable patients onto Tier 4 for weight loss surgery if they are interested in exploring this option.
