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Obesity and Weight Loss Medication

Last Updated: Wednesday, 19 August 2026

Trying to lose weight is a complex issue and there is a lot of help and support that can be offered.

Over the next few months patients will be receiving text messages and offers of support with their weight both from the GP surgery and from other local services.

Any body can access support, even if you don’t qualify for weight loss injections. Full details about these services and the self referral pathways can be found at https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/your-health/prescribing/statements/mounjaro-tirzepatide/local-weight-management-services/

You may also benefit from booking in for a health check with our Health Care Assistants at Ellergreen Medical Centre. Sarah and Sheila will be able to check your blood pressure, pulse, height and weight. Blood tests such as screening for diabetes or raised cholesterol can also be arranged (where appropriate) as part of these appointments.

You may be directed towards services such as Liv Life Liverpool to further assist with your weight loss journey.
The services they offer include:

  • 12 week 1-2-1 coaching
  •  “Weight & Stay” groups
  • “Weigh & Go”
  • Physical activity groups
  • Slimming World programme
  • Virtual support on the go

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for obesity

In April 2026 NHSE made changes to the way GPs help patients who are struggling with weight loss.
Previously Ellergreen Medical Centre had a weekly clinic where eligible patients were invited to attend and were given support with weight loss including the Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) injections. Due to the unexpected funding change in April 2026, the new invites into this service were stopped.

As a practice we recognise the importance of addressing obesity as a major driving factor in poor health outcomes. It is because of this, and after a detailed review of the current local and national guidelines, we are pleased to confirm that patients are starting to be invited into clinics again for consideration of weight loss injections.

In order for these clinics to run successfully we will be following a very strict set of criteria with regards to inviting patients to participate. The drug is being made available on a phased basis, with the current group of people eligible under the national criteria being people who: 

  • Have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 kg/m² or more (or 32.5 kg/m² for people from minority ethnic family backgrounds)

and

  • Have at least four of the following long-term conditions: 
    1.    Type 2 diabetes
    2.    Hypertension (high blood pressure)
    3.    Dyslipidaemia
    4.    Established cardiovascular disease
    5.    Obstructive sleep apnoea

If you qualify based on the above criteria you will then be allocated to a Cohort with specific dates on when you could be eligible for the injections.

Cohort 1:

At least 4 of the 5 health conditions listed below plus a BMI of at least 40.

Cohort 2:
from 23rd June 2026

In addition to the patients in Cohort 1, access to the drug will also be offered to   patients meeting the following criteria for year 2. 

At least 4 of the 5 health conditions listed below plus a BMI of 35 to 39.9.

 

Cohort 3:
will start from 1 April 2027

In addition to patients in Cohorts 1 and 2, access to the drug will also be offered to patients meeting the following criteria for year 3.

At least 3 of the 5 health conditions plus a BMI of at least 40.

Full details of the ICB guidelines can be found at https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/your-health/prescribing/statements/mounjaro-tirzepatide/

It is important to note that just because you qualify for a cohort, it does not mean you will be immediately invited in for the injections on the date that your cohort opens.

The practice undertakes searches to identify all eligible patients. There is then a review of each of these patients to review if they have any other conditions or medications that may make them unsuitable to engage with this service. Those that remain are prioritised based on their health conditions and suitability for the medication and are then contacted directly by our team.

The speed of roll out of this service is directly linked to the funding for the medication and the staff. We are trying hard to ensure that the maximum number of patients can access this service, but also access it safely.

It is also important to note that just using these medications in isolation will not help with either short or long term weight loss and there needs to be a concurrent change in diet and lifestyle.

Please note, calling the surgery to request the injections will NOT get you placed higher up the priority list. Only coded medical conditions will flag on the searches.
Our reception team are not able to adjust or modify your records to change your eligibility.
Any verbal or physical abuse directed towards our staff will fall under our Zero Tolerance Policy and may result in your removal from the practice.