The Association for the Study of Obesity was pleased to contribute expert evidence to the recent Health and Social Care Select Committee session on obesity treatment and services.
Dr Claudia Matta Coelho, ASO’s Adult Centres for Obesity Management Lead, gave evidence alongside Professor Susan Jebb from the University of Oxford and Dr Emily Pegg from Lilly.
The session explored a number of important issues facing obesity care in England, including inequalities in access to specialist weight management services, variation in service provision across the country, the role of primary care in referral pathways, and the need for improved national data and monitoring of treatment outcomes.
The panel also discussed how emerging treatments are reshaping the obesity care landscape and what this means for the future organisation and delivery of services across the NHS.
Drawing on her frontline clinical experience, Dr Matta Coelho highlighted the realities of delivering obesity services and emphasised the importance of ensuring equitable access to evidence-based care for people living with obesity.
The inquiry will inform future recommendations to the Government on how obesity treatment services can be strengthened across the NHS.
Listen to the full evidence session here: Health and Social Care Committee evidence session
