A powerful, practical partnership, delivering an effective, evidence-based approach to healthy weight management

Slimming World on Referral is an established and effective solution to the problem of providing patients with effective, lasting support for weight loss which meets all of the NICE obesity criteria (PDF, 646kb).

Slimming World on Referral is a partnership opportunity between local Primary and Secondary Care teams and Slimming World, the leading UK weight management organisation, established in 1969.

Since its nationwide launch in 2002 the programme is proving very popular with more than 40 schemes now set up. The majority of these are with primary or secondary care teams, although some have been set up with individual practices, Sure Start groups and in work places as employee benefit services. Based on the evidence of success increasing numbers of PCTs are rolling the Slimming World on Referral programme out to GP practices within their Trust.

Evidence base

• The scheme was pioneered by Slimming World and Southern Derbyshire Health Authority
• The initial research study investigated the feasibility, practicalities and cost-effectiveness of referring patients from Primary Care into Slimming World groups1 (click to go to reference).  As well as helping patients lose weight, significant improvements in mental well-being were reported after 12 weeks.  Over 70% of those completing the free 12 weeks also went on to fund themselves.  The service was shown to be far more cost-effective than drug treatment and also less expensive than many in-house options. 
• Almost 15,000 patient places have been purchased to date
  • Data from the first 2,100 members to finish 12 week programme
    • 34% were considered to be morbidly obese
    • Average attendance was 9.4 weeks (of 12)
    • 64% completed the programme (10 of 12 weeks)
    • Average weight loss of completers was 5.5% (4.2% across total population)
    • 55% completers lost ≥ 5% body weight (39% of total population)
    • Non-completers attended an average of 5.6 weeks and lost 2.1% of bodyweight

*References on this page:
1 Lavin et al. Feasibility and benefits of implementing a Slimming on Referral service in primary care using a commercial weight management partner. Public Health (2006) 120, 872-881.
2. All-Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity (2003) The medical management of obesity: state-funded opportunism? National Obesity Forum New Review, May 2003.