NHS eligibility criteria for Wegovy
To qualify for Wegovy (semaglutide) on the NHS, you must meet all of these criteria according to NICE guidelines:
- Have a BMI of at least 35 kg/m² (or ≥30 kg/m² with weight-related conditions)
- Be referred to a specialist NHS weight management service
- Have already tried and failed to lose weight with conventional treatment
- Meet your local NHS trust’s specific eligibility requirements
- Have no contraindications for GLP-1 medications
The specific interpretation of these criteria varies by NHS trust. Most services require documentation showing you’ve attempted supervised diet and exercise programs before considering medication.
Weight-related conditions that can qualify you at the lower BMI threshold (≥30) include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure requiring medication
- Sleep apnea
- Polycystic ovary syndrome with weight-related symptoms
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Mobility issues caused by excess weight
Your GP will need to confirm these conditions through appropriate testing before referral to specialist services.
The reality of NHS Wegovy access
Despite being approved by NICE in March 2023, the actual availability of Wegovy on the NHS varies dramatically across the UK due to several factors:
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- Wegovy is only available through specialist weight management services, not directly from GPs
- Many NHS trusts have implemented additional local criteria due to budget constraints
- Waiting times for specialist weight management services can be lengthy
- Global supply constraints have affected medication availability
Regional NHS access variation
NHS services, including specialist weight management services, often have different waiting times and criteria depending on location. This is a standard feature of the NHS system where:
| Access |
What this means |
| Local commissioning decisions |
Each Integrated Care Board (ICB) makes their own decisions about funding priorities |
| Specialist availability |
Some regions have more specialist weight management services than others |
| Local guidelines |
Individual NHS trusts may implement additional criteria based on capacity |
| Funding allocation |
Resources for weight management services vary by region |
Supply constraints affecting NHS access
The NHS carefully manages medication resources across the system. While Wegovy (semaglutide) is approved for use, individual NHS trusts must work within their allocated budgets and may prioritise patients based on clinical need and available resources.
This is standard practice for many specialised treatments within the NHS and helps ensure sustainable service provision.
Step-by-step NHS application process
If you’re interested in accessing Wegovy through the NHS, you’ll need to follow this pathway:
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- Initial GP consultation
- Discuss your weight concerns and previous weight loss attempts
- Get your BMI calculated and documented
- Have relevant health conditions assessed and recorded
- Weight management service referral
- Your GP will refer you to a Tier 3 weight management service
- You’ll join the waiting list for specialist assessment
- Specialist assessment
- A multidisciplinary team will assess your eligibility
- You may need to demonstrate engagement with lifestyle interventions
- Medical history will be reviewed for contraindications
- Treatment decision
- If approved, you’ll receive a prescription for Wegovy
- You’ll be taught how to self-administer the injection
- Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled
Tips to improve your chances of NHS approval
While there are no guarantees, healthcare professionals suggest these steps can help demonstrate your commitment and eligibility:
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- Keep detailed records of previous weight loss attempts
- Document the impact of your weight on your physical and mental health
- Engage actively with any lifestyle interventions offered
- Follow through with all appointments and assessments
What to expect on NHS Wegovy
If you’re approved for Wegovy on the NHS, here’s what the experience typically involves:
Treatment protocol
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- Starting dose of 0.25mg weekly for 4 weeks
- Gradual dose increases every 4 weeks
- Maximum maintenance dose of 2.4mg weekly
- Self-administered via injection pen
- Treatment duration typically up to 2 years, reviewed annually
Monitoring and support
NHS patients receiving Wegovy can expect:
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- Regular review appointments (typically every 1-3 months)
- Weight monitoring and progress assessment
- Side effect management support
- Access to dietetic advice (though frequency varies by trust)
- Treatment continuation dependent on achieving at least 5% weight loss within 6 months
Wegovy effectiveness: What the research shows
According to clinical trials and NICE assessments, here’s what you can expect from Wegovy:
Weight loss outcomes
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- Average weight loss: 15-20% after 68 weeks (based on STEP clinical trials)
- Comparison to lifestyle only: 3-4 times more effective than lifestyle interventions alone
- Success rate: 87% of patients lose more than 10% of body weight
- Health improvements: Significant reductions in blood pressure, blood sugar, and cardiovascular risk
Wegovy compared to other medications
Research published in The Lancet and reviewed by NICE shows Wegovy (semaglutide) offers superior weight loss compared to other medications:
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- Wegovy (semaglutide): 15-20% average weight loss
- Saxenda (liraglutide): 5-10% average weight loss
- Orlistat: 3-5% average weight loss
A direct comparison study showed participants in the semaglutide group lost 15.8% of their body weight compared to 6.4% in the liraglutide group.
Private alternatives if you don’t qualify for NHS Wegovy
If you don’t meet NHS criteria or face long waiting times, several private options exist:
Private healthcare providers
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- Online providers: Several digital health companies offer GLP-1 medications with virtual support
- Private clinics: In-person services available through private hospitals and clinics
- Private GP services: Some provide prescriptions with regular monitoring
Second Nature’s approach
At Second Nature, we provide weight-loss medications as part of our weight-loss programme:
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- Focuses on helping you create sustainable habits alongside medication
- Daily support from registered dietitians and nutritionists
- Structured programme to maximize results and manage side effects
- BMI requirement of ≥30 (medical contraindications still apply)
- To check eligibility, complete our health quiz
Frequently asked questions
How long is the NHS waiting list for Wegovy?
Waiting times vary significantly by NHS trust, ranging from several months to over a year. The waiting period includes both the time to access specialist weight management services and the assessment process for medication approval.
Will my doctor prescribe Wegovy?
GPs cannot directly prescribe Wegovy on the NHS. They can only refer you to a specialist weight management service, which will assess your eligibility and may prescribe Wegovy if appropriate. Your GP can prescribe privately if they offer private services outside the NHS.
How do I qualify for weight loss injections on the NHS?
To qualify for weight loss injections on the NHS, you need a BMI of at least 35 (or 30+ with weight-related conditions), referral to a specialist weight management service, and evidence that conventional treatments haven’t worked. You must also have no medical contraindications for the medication.
Can I ask my GP for Wegovy?
You can ask your GP to refer you to a specialist weight management service if you meet the criteria. Your GP cannot prescribe Wegovy directly on the NHS but can discuss whether you’re likely to be eligible for specialist services.
What’s better, Wegovy or Mounjaro?
Clinical trials suggest Mounjaro (tirzepatide) may produce slightly more weight loss (20-25%) than Wegovy (15-20%). However, Wegovy has been available longer with more real-world data.
The ‘better’ option depends on individual factors including side effect tolerance, cost, and availability. Both require medical supervision.
Take home message
While Wegovy is theoretically available on the NHS, access is currently limited by strict eligibility criteria, specialist capacity, and regional variation.
The pathway requires GP referral to specialist weight management services, where waiting times can be substantial.
For those who qualify and can access NHS services, Wegovy offers significant weight loss benefits with regular monitoring at no cost. For those who don’t qualify or face long waits, private options provide faster access but at a monthly cost.
Whether accessing Wegovy through the NHS or privately, research shows the medication is most effective when combined with lifestyle changes.
Support programmes that help develop sustainable habits alongside medication may offer the best chance for long-term success.
Second Nature's Mounjaro and Wegovy programmes
Second Nature provides Mounjaro or Wegovy as part of our Mounjaro and Wegovy weight-loss programmes.
Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you're eligible?
Because peace of mind matters.
We've had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.
Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro and Wegovy) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes. We're here to support that change every step of the way.
With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we're the UK's most trusted weight-loss programme.
We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind, and the support you need to take that first step.
