Help us improve the adult weight management pathway in south east London

Improving the adult weight management pathway in South East London

The obesity rate in south east London is high, with 56% of adult residents carrying excess weight. This can mean our current weight management system, which provides different tiers of care depending on a patient’s needs - ranging from lifestyle management all the way to surgery - is not always able to provide the right care in a timely manner. The result is growing waiting lists, duplication of referrals, unequal access to services, and delays in patients receiving the care they need.

Listening to local people with lived experience

In January 2026 we set up a a South East London Weight Management Single Point of Access (SPoA) Working Group and we held a workshop to to start developing a service specification for a proposed Single Point of Access. Both the steering group and the workshop included people with lived experience of obesity. The working group will meet monthly to make decisions on next steps and move forward the implementation of this project.

A Single Point of Access has the potential to streamline referrals and ensure timely, equitable access to appropriate services, reduce duplication and improve patient navigation across the system and improve value impact, including potential financial savings.

During the January workshop, a high-level pathway model of a Single Point of Access was broken down into sections which were discussed in small groups, with a focus on looking at digital functionality, workforce, outcome measures and ensuring equity across services. Conversations also centred around ensuring mental health was a key element in any assessment/triage process and centring patient choice within decision making.

Establishing a Single Point of Access was one of the recommendations which came out of the workshops that were held in 2025 which brought together a range of health professionals, representatives from six local authorities, and residents to improve weight management services and ensure people are better able to access the care they need.

Participants shared feedback to help shape a more consistent and personalised referral and triage process for weight management services, informed by lived experience and best practice. They also explored how care could be better integrated in community settings, with a strong emphasis on prevention, early support, and more personalised care.

The report produced from the 2025 workshops outlined three key recommendations as to how to improve weight management services, one of which is to establish a Single Point of Access – the full report can be found here.

One of the member of the lived experience group used creativity and shared feedback about her involvement in this project using poetry.

Next steps

Our next stage is to further work on building a Single Point for Access for weight management services in south east London. We have established a working group to action this, which involves partners from across the system as well as residents with lived experience.

We’re continuing to work with our partners and patients to improve services and create a system that meets the needs of our residents and workforce, delivering better and more equitable health outcomes for our diverse communities.

Thank you to everyone who is continuing to take part in this important work - your insights and experiences have been invaluable to understand the needs of our south east London population.