GPs to be offered bonuses to speed NHS weight‑loss drug rollout

The Department of Health is offering financial incentives, backed by £25 million, to encourage GPs to prescribe weight‑loss injections and refer patients to weight management services after eight months of a phased NHS rollout showed uneven access.

GPs are to be offered financial incentives as part of a move to speed the NHS rollout of prescription weight‑loss injections. The Department of Health and Social Care reported that not all practices currently prescribe these drugs, creating variation in access eight months after the programme began. Health secretary Wes Streeting said the aim is to make access based on clinical need rather than ability to pay and highlighted concerns about private purchasing and unregulated prescribers. The government said the new payments are backed by £25 million and form part of a new GP contract. Key facts: - The DHSC said not all practices prescribe weight‑loss drugs, and access varies across the country. - The incentives are funded with £25 million to encourage GPs to prescribe these medications and refer eligible patients to dedicated weight management services. - NHS England has a phased rollout of Mounjaro that could extend up to 12 years, with about 220,000 patients prioritised in the first three years. - An estimated 2.4 million people in the UK are taking weight‑loss drugs, with most accessing treatment privately. - When the programme began, some leading GPs warned it could increase workload for general practice. - Research published this month reported higher private take‑up among women and middle‑class patients. Summary: The announced incentives seek to increase prescribing and referrals so more patients can access NHS‑prescribed weight‑loss medications rather than relying on private routes. Further implementation will be managed through the new GP contract and the ongoing phased NHS rollout.