Nursing in Practice Summer 2021 (issue 120) | Page 12

12 COVER STORY

In 2009 , he set up The Rotherham Institute for Obesity ( RIO ) – a groundbreaking initiative in the South Yorkshire town considered to be one of the nation ’ s obesity hotspots . With a £ 3.5m investment from NHS Rotherham , RIO had a blank slate to create a one-stop-shop to help people manage their weight . Over a three-year pilot , RIO helped its patients lose a cumulative total of 34 tons . ¹²

With support from a multidisciplinary team , including specialist obesity nurses , exercise therapists , talking therapists and GPs , as well as an onsite gym and kitchen , the clinic helps people sustain healthy lifestyle habits rather than offering a quick fix . Funding cuts forced RIO to close to NHS patients in 2017 although it still operates on a private basis .

‘ I would be setting up the equivalent of what we had in Rotherham in every large town or small city , all around the country ,’ Dr Capehorn says . ‘ If the Government targets a significant proportion of the money into structured weight-management services , preferably in a primary care setting , then yes , we can make a difference .’

However , weight-management services need significant long-term investment if they are to pay dividends . Savings made from reductions in obesity-related illness and death can be hard to measure , especially in the short term .

The Government ’ s proposals also include online support , a health campaign , training for primary care teams and an acceleration of the NHS diabetes prevention programme . But Dr Capehorn sees a fundamental problem with the plans . ‘ At the moment , commissioners , whether it ’ s local authorities or clinical commissioning groups , don ’ t have to fund weightmanagement services . They have to have an obesity strategy , but that might be more cycle paths , less takeaways . Weight management is not a mandated service – that must change .’

Training for primary care nurses Toni Jenkins , an obesity nurse specialist , believes training in primary care will make a difference . ‘ Being overweight is so commonplace now that people have to open their eyes . There should be training funded by the Government for all nurses in general practice , particularly in how to treat and manage people living with obesity ,’ she says .

Professor Jebb also highlights the essential role of nurses in weight management . ‘ They are the point of contact with the patient . They are the trusted , credible , authoritative source . I would really like to see nurses or primary care teams having sensitive conversations with patients about their weight and motivating them to take action .’

A call to action The Government is designating its latest obesity strategy a ‘ call to action ’. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson says : ‘ It ’ s vital we take action now to improve our health as a nation . The Government is investing £ 100m in helping obese people move towards a healthier weight .’

Perhaps one lesson of the Covid-19 crisis is that firm commitments that are actionable and accountable are as important as radical new policies . While the virus remains a threat , obesity and associated morbidity are complex societal issues that require long-term solutions ¹³ , and the Government must not neglect the underlying social factors . As the country looks to a future beyond the pandemic , ministers must recognise the impact of inequality and monitor the outcomes of their latest obesity strategy to ensure it is achieving the desired outcomes .

Helen Quinn is a freelance journalist

nursinginpractice . com Summer 2021