Eligibility for weight-loss medication at St George’s
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The St George’s Specialist Weight Management service can only offer weight-loss medication to patients in the Phase 1 clinical priority group set by the Society for Endocrinology.
More information about the clinical phases can be found here.
A St George’s clinician will confirm eligibility after a clinical assessment. Being referred to the service does not guarantee eligibility for medication.
Who is eligible (Phase 1)
You may be eligible to be prescribed weight-loss medication by the St George’s Specialist Weight Management if you meet one of the following criteria:
- You need to lose weight urgently prior to an organ transplant (for example, to meet transplant listing or surgery criteria).
- You have been diagnosed with Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) that requires frequent lumbar punctures and/or involves vision loss
- You are waiting for planned, time-sensitive surgery for a life-limiting condition but are unable to have this surgery due to a high body mass index (BMI)
- You are receiving treatment from a fertility service that has recommended weight loss
- You have been diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS), and/or severe asthma.
- You have been diagnosed with a proven genetic cause of obesity and are not eligible for setmelanotide (Imcivree®).
Medication choice and duration will depend on clinical assessment, safety, national guidance, commissioning arrangements and supply.
What if I’ve been referred to the Specialist Weight Management Service but am not in a Phase 1 group?
You will be offered other treatments such as:
- Bariatric (weight-loss) surgery assessment, where appropriate
- Lifestyle-focused support (diet, physical activity, behavioural programmes)