With £85 million available, supported by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Lilly, this initiative is poised to transform how weight management care is delivered in community and primary care settings.

This third strand of the programme calls on NHS organisations to design and implement truly integrated solutions that combine both access and management services into seamless pathways. There is a strong emphasis on ensuring these solutions are holistic, clinically sound, resource-efficient, and capable of reaching large patient populations from early 2026 onwards.

Public sector organisations are invited to lead on the development of innovative, patient-centred care models. Selected projects will contribute to shaping national treatment guidelines by feeding into the ongoing evaluation, potentially informing work by guideline bodies such as NICE and SIGN.

Successful proposals will pioneer new delivery models—this might mean blending digital tools, local community access points, pharmacy-led services, or hybrid models designed to reduce barriers and bridge healthcare inequalities. These initiatives are expected to broaden and modernise obesity support across the UK, particularly benefiting underserved communities and devolved regions, supported by a ring-fenced portion of the funding.

Through this programme, the NHS has a unique chance to reimagine obesity care. By enabling patient access to comprehensive support—from eligibility to discharge, via innovative and equitable pathways—the initiative aims to reduce pressures on specialist services while improving health outcomes across communities.

For more information, visit Innovate UK.