Quality standard

Quality statement 4: Maintaining details of local lifestyle weight management programmes

Quality statement 4: Maintaining details of local lifestyle weight management programmes

Quality statement

Adults have access to a publicly available, up‑to‑date list of local lifestyle weight management programmes.

Rationale

Effective lifestyle weight management programmes for adults can be delivered by a range of organisations and in different locations. The local authority should maintain an up‑to‑date list of local lifestyle weight management programmes and make it available to the public. Raising awareness of locally provided programmes is important to ensure that the public know about the programmes in their area and how to enrol in them. Increased public awareness may lead to more self‑referrals to these programmes.

Quality measures

The following measures can be used to assess the quality of care or service provision specified in the statement. They are examples of how the statement can be measured, and can be adapted and used flexibly.

Structure

Evidence that an up‑to‑date list of local lifestyle weight management programmes for adults is publicly available.

Data source: Local data collection.

Outcome

Number of self‑referrals of overweight or obese adults to locally commissioned lifestyle weight management programmes.

Data source: Local data collection.

What the quality statement means for different audiences

Providers of lifestyle weight management programmes ensure that they provide local authorities with up‑to‑date information about local lifestyle weight management programmes for overweight and obese adults.

Commissioners ensure that information about lifestyle weight management programmes is available across all health and care services.

Local authorities ensure that they maintain a publicly available, up‑to‑date list of local lifestyle weight management programmes for overweight and obese adults.

Adults can easily find information about lifestyle weight management programmes in their area and how to enrol in them.

Definitions of terms used in this quality statement

Lifestyle weight management programmes

Lifestyle weight management programmes for overweight or obese adults are multicomponent programmes that aim to reduce a person's energy intake and help them to be more physically active by changing their behaviour and working towards achievable goals. They should last for at least 3 months, with sessions that are offered at least weekly or fortnightly and include a 'weigh‑in' at each session. They may include weight management programmes, courses or clubs that:

  • accept adults through self‑referral or referral from a health or social care practitioner

  • are provided by the public, private or voluntary sector

  • are based in the community, workplaces, primary care or online.

Although local definitions vary, these are usually called tier 2 services and form part of a comprehensive approach to preventing and treating obesity. [Adapted from NICE's guideline on weight management: lifestyle services for overweight or obese adults, recommendation 9, glossary and expert opinion]

List of local lifestyle weight management programmes

The list should include details of programmes that have been commissioned by the local authority or clinical commissioning group and other public, private or voluntary evidence‑based programmes. [Adapted from NICE's guideline on weight management: lifestyle services for overweight or obese adults, recommendation 9, glossary and expert opinion]

Equality and diversity considerations

Local authorities should take into account the cultural and communication needs of the local population when providing a publicly accessible list of local lifestyle weight management programmes.