Residents warned of accessing weight loss jabs

Residents are being warned they are being left behind in accessing a new weight-loss jab on the NHS, despite a government incentive scheme encouraging GPs to prescribe it.

Southend Liberal Democrats say many eligible patients face long waits for Mounjaro, due to the local NHS not rolling out a full GP-level service.

Local party chairman Stephan Cummings said: "In Southend, patients have already faced months of delay because our area had only one specialist service covering the region."

NHS England has instructed local NHS managers to introduce the drug in phases, but the Southend Lib Dems says the delay is widening gaps in health equality between affluent and poorer areas.

"In Southend, patients have already faced months of delay because our area had only one specialist service covering the region," said Cummings.

In response to the concerns, the executive medical director at NHS Mid and South Essex, Dr Matt Sweeting, said: "Demand for weight management support is very high... treatment decisions are made by clinicians based on individual circumstances and national policy."

Sweeting added that the phased rollout was essential to ensure those with the greatest need were prioritised.

Until GP prescribing was introduced, access to Mounjaro in Southend would continue through the Tier 3 specialist service, via a GP referral, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Nationally, about 3.4 million people meet eligibility criteria for the drug, but the NHS plans to treat only 220,000 over three years.

Ministers have confirmed that GP surgeries would receive a £3,000 bonus if they prescribe the drug.

A typical GP practice of 6,000 patients, will have fewer than 20 people qualifying for the drug in total, and year one funding is expected to cover only a fraction of that number.

The Lib Dems say Southend has some of the starkest health divides in the country, with a 10.5-year gap in male life expectancy between the most and least wealthiest areas.

Obesity is a key contributing factor, yet many residents cannot afford private healthcare or prescriptions, which can cost between £160 and £310 per month.

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