Tirzepatide for Weight Management – Service Not Yet Available

We understand there may be interest following recent national announcements regarding the use of tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity, in line with new NICE guidance published in December 2024.

Please note that this service is not yet in place at our surgery.

A locally commissioned service is currently being finalised across Surrey Heartlands to support the safe and appropriate prescribing of tirzepatide in primary care for eligible patients. This is being developed in collaboration with NHS partners and is expected to be launched in the coming weeks.

At this time:

  • We are unable to prescribe tirzepatide for weight management.
  • The service will initially focus on patients who meet the criteria outlined in cohort 1 of the NHS England commissioning guidance. This includes patients with the highest clinical need.
  • Please do not contact the surgery to request an appointment to discuss eligibility at this stage. We are unable to take any action until the local protocols are confirmed.

Access to this service will be based on a strict NHS eligibility criteria once made available:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

• High blood pressure

• Heart disease

• Obstructive sleep apnoea (when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep)

• Abnormal blood fats (dyslipidaemia)

 Cohort 1 will start in June 2025. At least four of the five health conditions listed above plus a BMI of 40 (BMI to be adjusted for ethnicity*) or more.

Local Weight Management Support

If you are looking for support with managing your weight, the following local resources may be helpful:

We appreciate your patience while this service is being finalised. Updates will be provided here as soon as more information becomes available.

Thank you for your understanding.

Published on 23 June 2025