Provider withdraws from digital weight loss trial

A new digital weight loss programme due to roll out this year will no longer go ahead as planned.

The weight management service had been due to run as a two-year pilot to support adults living with obesity by prescribing medicines which help them feel fuller.

Public Health associate director Alex Hawkins-Drew said the programme had been "close to contract completion" when the chosen digital provider had decided it could "no longer support this provision".

She said she understood some people would be disappointed but added her team remained "committed to developing a service" and was now "re-evaluating what can be offered in the Bailiwick".

Hawkins-Drew said the Health and Social Care team had been working with the provider after it had been selected by "careful and critical examination of several models and providers".

She said the States' free Tier 2 programme had not been affected and continued to be available for people in Guernsey and Alderney.

She said islanders could also self-refer at the Oviva Guernsey and Alderney Weight Management Service, which provides a free 12-week programme designed to help people manage their diet and lifestyle.

People who met the criteria could also be referred to the Dietetic Adult Weight Management Service by their GP or specialist, she added.

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