Information for Healthcare Professionals

The specialist weight management model of service provision

The service is provided in Plymouth at both the Cumberland Centre and Foulston Park Hub by a specialised multi-disciplinary team consisting of Specialist Nurses, Physiotherapists, Dietitians, Clinical Psychologists and Consultant Endocrinologists supported by a team of clerical and support staff.

The programme commences with patients required to opt in to attend a mandatory induction session which provides an overview of the programme and an understanding of the commitment to behaviour change required. Patients are then required to request an assessment appointment with a Weight Management Professional. This includes a biometric measure, medical, social and diet history. Patients are then invited to attend a weekly educational programme.  After the programme, patients are offered an individual review appointment with a Specialist Practitioner and other specialist members of the team where required. The frequency and the professionals to be seen will be determined on an individual patient basis.  All patients who are accepted onto the programme will have met the basic referral criteria as per South and West Devon Formulary. Bariatric surgery may be considered for some patients who meet specific criteria.

The service provided is person-centred and non-judgmental, with the aim of supporting people to develop their own self-management strategies. The programme is psycho-educational, encouraging patients to see themselves as adult learners who are responsible for and capable of deciding on and making their own lifestyle change. Therefore, we operate an ‘opt-in’ policy at a number of stages in the programme.

The lifestyle interventions we provide comply with NICE Obesity Guidance NG246 (2025) and are multi-component, which include behaviour change strategies to increase people’s physical activity levels, and improve eating behaviour or quality of diet. It is delivered by healthcare professionals who have relevant competencies and specific training. Behavioural interventions are delivered with the support of appropriately trained professionals and include the following strategies, as appropriate for the person:

• self-monitoring of behaviour and progress
• stimulus control
• goal setting and problem solving
• ensuring social support (including our own support groups run by our patient volunteers)
• assertiveness
• cognitive restructuring (modifying thoughts)
• relapse prevention and strategies for dealing with weight regain.