HIW supports local system to evaluate innovative obesity care programme

NHS Dorset has been awarded a share of £85 million national funding from government and industry to lead an innovative new programme that will improve access to obesity support for people across Dorset. Health Innovation Wessex is supporting the Dorset team to evaluate new, co-produced pathways for under-served groups.

A dozen cutting-edge projects will see thousands of patients across the UK benefiting from new and easier ways to access obesity care. Through the Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP), projects are set to receive grant funding of up to £50 million from government and up to £35 million from pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) for new approaches, such as using apps and AI tools to improve patient care.  

They will reshape how obesity is treated and ease long-term pressure on frontline health services by using technology to give people new ways to access support. 

Leading the way in Dorset

The Dorset project will take a community led approach, focusing on people who often face barriers to healthy weight services. This includes children and young people with disabilities, adults with learning disabilities, care experienced young people, and people with serious mental health conditions.

A spokesperson for NHS Dorset said:

“This funding is a real opportunity to bring obesity support closer to communities, using local services and digital tools to reach people who too often miss out.”

Support will be tailored to individual needs and may include help from community organisations, health professionals, and digital tools such as apps and wearable technology.

Health innovation in partnership

NHS Dorset is working in partnership with Health Innovation Wessex and Bournemouth University’s PIER Project.

Nicola Bent, Chief Executive of Health Innovation Wessex, said:

"Health Innovation Wessex will be supporting the Dorset team to evaluate new, co-produced pathways for under-served groups. We're funded by NHS England and the government's Office for Life Sciences to spread and adopt new technology and ways of working, and this is the latest way in which we're helping our local health and care systems to improve the health of the Dorset population."

A spokesperson for Bu PIER added:

“By working together, we can help make obesity support more inclusive, more accessible and better connected to people’s everyday lives in Dorset

The project will run until March 2029, with learning helping to shape future obesity care in Dorset and across the country.

For further information see the national media release from the UK government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology or message the Health Innovation Wessex team by clicking Contact Us below.