Mounjaro
A new local NHS service providing Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) injections for weight loss, alongside a nine-month healthy lifestyle programme, launches on 1 October for patients in Hertfordshire and West Essex.
GPs or healthcare professionals will not be able to prescribe Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) directly. Patients will only be able to access it through the new service.
We understand the media is reporting that Mounjaro is now available under the NHS, however this is ONLY to a limited group of patients.
- You must be over 18, with a BMI of 40+ or if from a South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic background, body mass index (BMI) should be 37.5 or more.
You MUST also have at least four of the five related health conditions below. These are:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension) — requiring treatment with medication
- Heart and blood vessel disease (cardiovascular disease) — such as ischaemic heart disease, stroke, heart failure, or peripheral vascular disease. (This does not include conditions such as atrial fibrillation or valvular heart disease.)
- Obstructive sleep apnoea — confirmed by a sleep study and requiring treatment, such as CPAP.
- High cholesterol or triglycerides) — usually based on blood test results or if you take medication like statins.
We cannot offer any weight loss drug for cosmetic or general weight loss to patients who do not meet the strict criteria.
Tirzepatide in Primary Care to Support Weight Management for Appropriate Eligible Patients
From Monday 23 June, a new weight loss drug called Tirzepatide, will start becoming available for use in primary care settings. Tirzepatide, which is often distributed under the brand name of Mounjaro, can help to promote weight loss when used by patients alongside a calorie-controlled diet and a more active daily lifestyle.
Visit Tirzepatide in Primary Care - new guidance as of 23.06.25 for further information.
Please also see updated guidance above effective from 01.10.25
Accessing Wegovy for weight loss
Everything you need to know can be found at healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2023/09/04/accessing-wegovy-for-weight-loss-everything-you-need-to-know
Please note: Wegovy® is not recommended for primary care prescribing
Weight loss support
Do you live in Hertfordshire, are aged 18+ and are registered with a Hertfordshire GP? You may be entitled to weight loss support.
To qualify for this free 12-week programme, you need to:
- Be 18 years or over
- Be a resident of Hertfordshire or registered to a Herts GP
- Have a BMI of ≥30 or BMI of ≥27.5 from a BAME community or have a comorbidity
- Additional criteria may apply depending on which service referral is made to.
NHS Digital Weight Management Programme
Referrals for Hertfordshire & West Essex can only be made via GP
Living Well Taking Control (LWTC)
NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme Hertfordshire & West Essex.
Discuss with GP as eligibility criteria to be met prior to referral.
TBC Healthcare (from September 2024)
TBC Healthcare has been commissioned to deliver the new integrated adult weight management service for Tier 2 and Tier 3, which is now accepting referrals. TBC Website | Home (tbchealthcare.co.uk)
Download an information leaflet (PDF, 1.31MB)
Shape Up
Discuss with GP as eligibility criteria to be met prior to referral (please note this service is based in Watford & is male only sessions)
NHS Support websites
NHS Weight Loss Plan: www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight
NHS Weight Loss Plan App: apps.apple.com/gb/app/nhs-weight-loss-plan/id1519208548
Weight Loss Injections Guidance
(Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda – Semaglutamide, Liraglutide)
Guidance on injectable medications for weight loss
Can my GP prescribe Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for weight loss that has been started privately?
If you are currently taking Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) through a private prescription, your GP or healthcare professional may assess your suitability for NHS treatment and may refer you into the local service if you meet all eligibility criteria for the NHS programme. You must also be willing to take part in the nine month behavioural support programme that forms part of the NHS service.
Access to Liraglutide (Saxenda®) or Semaglutide (Wegovy®)
National guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations on eligible groups and does not recommend GPs prescribe Liraglutide (Saxenda®) or Semaglutide (Wegovy®) for obesity. These medicines are only to be used within specialist weight management services.