Four digital platforms have won approval to help the NHS deliver specialist weight management services to support the use of medication in England.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has highlighted programmes using the four platforms – Liva, Oviva, Roczen and Second Nature – in draft guidance on the issue that has been put out for consultation.
It said they all include support from a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including psychological support and monitoring to reduce the risk of harm, such as from eating disorders and mental health issues.
Some of the digital programmes include the ability to prescribe weight management medication, while others collect and share data about the use of medication with an NHS team to support prescribing and provide a wraparound service involving diet and exercise.
Patients will have a clinical assessment before starting treatment and a team of specialists will provide care virtually using the platforms.
Liva is available to be deployed into use by the NHS while the other platforms can be used once they have appropriate Digital Technology Assessment Criteria approval from NHS England.
Saving travel
NICE said the ability to use digital enabled services will also help those who cannot or do not wish to travel for appointments, and those who are happy to be treated virtually.
Mark Chapman, interim director of medical technology and digital evaluation at NICE, said: “Traditional face to face services treating people living with obesity are unable to keep up with demand. Waiting lists are long, some areas don’t have a service, and patients need a solution.
“These four platforms could provide an option to accessing weight management support to those people who live in an area with no specialist weight management services or for those who are on a waiting list and are happy to be treated safely outside a hospital setting.
“By using these platforms over the next four years, NICE can learn from the evidence generated to ensure that when we carry out a full assessment, we can ensure that we are balancing delivering the best care and getting value for money for the taxpayer.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Technology is transforming healthcare and helping to cut NHS waiting times – one of the government’s five priorities.
“The use of apps in weight management services will improve access to support that, alongside life changing drugs, can help tackle obesity – which costs the NHS billions every year and is the second biggest cause of cancer.”
Virtual access
NICE said its calculations have shown show that up to 48,000 people would be able to access the virtual services and if all those eligible enrolled up to 145,000 hours of clinician time would be saved.
In addition, early evidence has suggested that weight loss of those using the digital platforms is similar at two years to face-to-face specialist weight management services.
The consultation will be open for submissions until 25 August.
