New Obesity Treatment Technology

Advanced obesity treatment could soon be offered to NHS patients.

01:12 24 January 2023

Thanks to a new £20million research boost, the NHS could soon offer cutting-edge treatments and technologies to obese patients. 

Recent research shows that obesity costs the NHS £6billion annually. The new investment, which was announced by the government in November, is expected to pave the way in the development of medicines and digital technologies that can aid in helping patients reduce their weight by up to 20per cent safely. 

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: "Having a fit and healthy population is essential to reducing pressure on the NHS and supporting the economy with obesity, currently estimated to cost the NHS nearly £10 billion per year by 2050."

"We are fast-tracking the most promising treatments and technologies to NHS patients to help them achieve a healthy weight, save the NHS billions of pounds and increase life expectancy."

"We are determined to harness the full potential of innovative medical breakthroughs to level up the health of the nation."

The government has also confirmed that the research will be focused outside London and the Greater South East, where obesity rates and health disparities are highest.