NHS organisations can access a share of £85 million to pilot innovative models of obesity care under a new government-industry initiative announced today.
The programme – a partnership between the UK government and pharmaceutical company Lilly – will test new ways of supporting patients living with obesity. The UK government will contribute up to £50m of new investment while Lilly will provide up to £35m of grant funding.
Integrated care boards (ICBs) and other NHS stakeholders, working with technology providers and other partners, will be invited to submit bids to pilot new models. Successful bids could see patients accessing services as early as summer 2026.
Proposals must focus on models outside current specialist pathways – for example, delivering care via digital platforms or through community-based routes such as pharmacies.
The programme comes as a result of the collaboration between the Government and Lilly, first agreed in October 2024, which could ultimately generate up to £279m of investment.
The initiative will be open to proposals from across the UK. At least £10m is ring-fenced for projects in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Delivered with Innovate UK, the programme will prioritise accessibility, aiming to ensure equitable access regardless of background or location.
Obesity is estimated to cost the NHS around £11 billion annually and the government hopes the programme will accelerate scalable, evidence-based approaches to prevention and treatment, ultimately reducing pressure on NHS services.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘Obesity is now one of the leading causes of ill health, costing the NHS billions. Yet, we now have the science, technology and knowledge to help tackle the obesity epidemic, if we seize this opportunity.’
Patient eligibility will be determined locally by clinicians, with all services meeting national guidelines, NHS governance and clinical standards while ensuring a patient-centric approach aligned to local needs.
The government said the programme builds on its recent investment through Innovate UK into 23 projects from the Weight Management Pathway Design Accelerator.
Led by ICBs and health boards across the UK, these three-month projects are exploring new ways to design more personalised and joined-up weight management support, delivered in local communities where it’s easier for people to access.
