To boost patients’ health and decrease the NHS burden, pharmacists can now refer them to free weight-loss courses.
If the staff thinks it would be helpful, patients can request to be signed up.
Online courses from the NHS include access to customized diet plans and exercises, apps, one-to-one coaching and support.
In England, three out of five adults are overweight. Over one-fourth of adults in England are overweight, which puts them at higher risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. (file photo).
This is available to all adults living in England, who have diabetes or high blood pressure and an upper body mass of at least 30.
Due to the increased likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, those from Asian and black backgrounds may be able to join with a BMI lower than 27.5.
Until now patients needed to be seen first by their GP before being able to access this course.
In England, three out of five adults are overweight. Over one-fourth of adults in England are obese. This puts them at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Online courses from NHS include access to customized diet plans and exercises, apps, and one-on-one support and training (file photo used).
Diabetes is estimated to cost the NHS £10billion a year, with one in 20 GP prescriptions issued to treat the condition.
Bruce Warner, NHS England’s deputy chief pharmacist, stated that “Obese adults can walk in any community pharmacy and start a life-changing journey to lose weight.”
The projected increase in the number of those with the condition is expected to result in almost 39,000 additional heart attacks by 2035, as well as more than 50,000 stroke victims.