Community weight management support in Dorset

Updated 17/06/2025

The new weight management ‘Tirzepatide’ medication (brand name Mounjaro®) will be available to NHS patients nationally from 23 June.

In Dorset around 1,000 people currently qualify for the medication based on national eligibility criteria – but it won’t be available locally until later this year (autumn) – so please don’t contact your GP just yet as they’re unable to help currently.

Who is eligible?

The first group of people eligible under the national criteria includes individuals who:

  • Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m² or more (or 37.5 kg/m² for people from minority ethnic family backgrounds)

and

  • Have at least four of the following long-term conditions:

    • Type 2 diabetes
    • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
    • Dyslipidaemia
    • Established cardiovascular disease
    • Obstructive sleep apnoea

(Source: NHS England Interim Commissioning Guidance – NICE TA1026)

Local roll out

We’re currently commissioning a new community-based weight management service, which will launch later in 2025. This service is being designed in response your feedback about what matters most to you:

  • Choice: You want both face-to-face and online support options

  • Accessibility: You want a service that is easy to access and inclusive

  • Equity: You want it to meet the needs of people experiencing health inequalities

  • Integration: You want it linked with existing behavioural support in Dorset

We’ve listened. That’s why we’re taking the time to build a sustainable, community-led model that reflects your priorities and will serve Dorset for the long-term.

Importantly, those who meet the national criteria will not lose their opportunity to access the service due to this delay.

What’s next?

We’re working as quickly as possible to make this service available in Dorset. In the meantime, we’ll continue to provide our current support offer for people eligible for help with weight management.

We’ll update this page and share information with local partners as soon as the new service is active. GP practices will receive communications when they can begin referring patients to the new service. We’ll also publish a local implementation timeline to help people understand when they may be able to access support under the national criteria. Queries can be directed to our customer care service.

For more information on weight management services in Dorset visit LiveWell Dorset.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)

Tirzepatide (known in the UK under the brand name Mounjaro) has recently been approved for use in the NHS in line with NICE.

Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity – guidance – NICE

NICE is the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department of Health and Social Care.

As commissioners, NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board (ICB) is currently considering how Tirzepatide will fit with existing weight management services in the county in order to achieve the best outcomes for patients. These services also include support on achieving a low-calorie diet and increasing exercise along with psychological support.

Initially, Tirzepatide will only be available through existing specialist weight management services. Eventually, Tirzepatide will be available locally via a dedicated service. More information will be available in 2025.

For more information on weight management services in Dorset visit LiveWell Dorset.