NHS Weight Management Service
Managing your weight can be difficult, particularly when it is already affecting your health. The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme provides free, structured support for eligible adults living with obesity who have diabetes, high blood pressure, or both.
What is the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme?
The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme is a free 12-week behavioural and lifestyle programme.
It provides access to an online weight-management plan that can be followed from home and fitted around your daily routine.
Depending on the plan available to you, the programme may include:
- Guidance on healthier eating
- Support with increasing physical activity
- Help setting realistic goals
- Advice on changing everyday habits
- Tools for monitoring your progress
- Digital resources and educational content
- Additional coaching or professional support where available
The programme is intended to help you make sustainable changes rather than rely on short-term or restrictive approaches to losing weight.
Visit any Procters Pharmacy branch as a walk-in to ask about the programme, or call your local branch for more information.
Who may be eligible?
You may be eligible for a referral if you:
- Are aged 18 or over
- Have a body mass index of 30 or above
- Have a body mass index of 27.5 or above and are from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background
- Have been diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, or both
- Have access to a smartphone, tablet or computer
- Have access to the internet
- Are willing and able to take part in an online programme
Eligibility will be assessed before a referral is made.
Speak to the Procters Pharmacy team if you are uncertain whether you meet the criteria.
Why does managing your weight matter?
Living with obesity can increase the risk of developing or worsening a number of health conditions.
These may include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Joint and mobility problems
- Breathing difficulties
- Some types of cancer
- Mental health difficulties
Even modest, sustainable changes to your weight, diet and activity levels may provide meaningful health benefits.
The programme aims to help you make changes that are manageable and suitable for your everyday life.
How the referral process works
Living with obesity can increase the risk of developing or worsening a number of health conditions.
These may include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Joint and mobility problems
- Breathing difficulties
- Some types of cancer
- Mental health difficulties
Even modest, sustainable changes to your weight, diet and activity levels may provide meaningful health benefits.
The programme aims to help you make changes that are manageable and suitable for your everyday life.
Speak to a Procters pharmacist
Visit a Procters Pharmacy and speak to a member of our team. This is a walk-in service, so you do not need to book an appointment. You may also call your local branch if you would like more information before visiting.
A trained member of the pharmacy team will explain the programme and check whether you may meet the NHS eligibility criteria.
Consent and referral
If you are eligible and would like to take part, we will explain how your information will be used and ask for your consent to make a referral.
The referral will then be submitted to the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme.
Receive your NHS invitation
You should receive a text message from NHS WMP, normally within two working days of your referral.
The message will contain a secure link where you can learn more about the programme and view the weight-management plans available to you.
Please make sure the pharmacy has your correct mobile telephone number before the referral is submitted.
Choose your programme
Follow the link in the NHS text message and choose the programme that you feel is most suitable for your needs.
Different plans may offer different formats or levels of support.
It is important to make your selection within the stated period. If you do not select a plan within six weeks, your referral may be returned to the healthcare professional who referred you.
Begin your 12-week plan
Once you have chosen your plan, you can begin the 12-week programme online.
You will receive guidance and support throughout your journey, helping you work towards healthier habits and sustainable weight management.
Why choose Procters Pharmacy?
- A trusted local pharmacy team
- Walk-in access with no booking required
- Clear guidance on NHS eligibility
- Help completing your referral
- A free NHS programme for eligible patients
- Online access from home
- Support focused on lasting lifestyle change
- Friendly and confidential assistance
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book an appointment?
No. Procters Pharmacy offers this as a walk-in service. Visit a participating branch and ask a member of our team about the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme. You can also telephone your local branch for more information before visiting.
How long does the programme last?
The programme lasts for 12 weeks. You can access it online using a smartphone, tablet or computer and complete the activities around your daily routine.
How much does the programme cost?
The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme is free for eligible patients who are referred to it.
What does the programme involve?
The exact content will depend on the plan you choose. It may include advice about food, physical activity, goal setting, motivation and changing everyday habits. Some plans may also provide additional coaching or professional support.
Do I need to have diabetes or high blood pressure?
Yes. To qualify for this particular NHS programme, you must have a diagnosis of diabetes, high blood pressure, or both, alongside meeting the relevant BMI and other eligibility criteria.
What BMI do I need to have?
The standard eligibility threshold is a BMI of 30 or above. The threshold is reduced to 27.5 or above for people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds because certain weight-related health risks can occur at a lower BMI.
Can Procters Pharmacy measure my BMI?
Speak to the team at your local Procters branch. Where the appropriate facilities and trained team members are available, we can explain what measurements are needed and help establish whether a referral may be suitable.
Do I need internet access?
Yes. The programme is delivered digitally, so you will need access to a smartphone, tablet or computer with an internet connection.
What happens after I am referred?
You should receive a text message from NHS WMP within two working days. The message will contain a link allowing you to review and select an available weight-management plan.
What happens if I do not select a plan?
You will normally have six weeks to choose your preferred plan. If you do not make a selection during that period, your referral may be returned to the healthcare professional who referred you.
Is this the same as private weight-loss treatment?
No. The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme is an online behavioural and lifestyle support programme. It is separate from private weight-loss services and does not automatically include prescription weight-loss medicines.
Is the service confidential?
Yes. Your information will be handled confidentially and used only as required to assess your eligibility and complete the NHS referral.
Start your weight-management journey
Visit a Procters Pharmacy and speak to our team about the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme. No appointment is needed. Simply walk in, or call your local Procters branch for further information.