Important update: Wegovy (semaglutide) injections on the NHS

You may have seen recent media coverage about NHS England offering weight-loss injections such as Wegovy to help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Injection for more than a million people to help prevent heart attacks and strokes recommended | NICE

What has been announced

Recent national guidance means that more patients may become eligible for Wegovy in future, particularly those at higher cardiovascular risk.

However, this does not mean the treatment is immediately available to everyone.

How NHS funding works (why availability may differ)

It is important to understand how NHS services are funded:

• NHS England sets national policy and guidance
• NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) decides if treatments are clinically effective and cost-effective
• Local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) decide how funding is allocated in your area
• GP practices can only prescribe treatments that are funded and commissioned locally

➡️ This means:

Even if NHS England supports a treatment, each local ICB must decide whether and when it can fund it.

Because of this:

• Some areas may offer treatment earlier than others
• Some ICBs may apply stricter criteria due to limited budgets

Strict eligibility criteria

Access to Wegovy on the NHS is very tightly controlled.

Patients will not be automatically prescribed semaglutide. A GP or specialist will assess whether it is the right option based on individual circumstances.

To be considered, patients must:

• have previously had a heart attack, stroke, or be living with peripheral arterial disease (a condition affecting blood flow in the legs) AND
• have a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m² or above AND
• be willing to make changes to their diet and increase physical activity alongside taking the medication

➡️ These criteria mean that only a small number of highest-risk patients qualify initially.

Current situation at our practice

At present:

• We are awaiting formal guidance and funding confirmation from our local ICB
• Until this is received, we cannot prescribe or refer for Wegovy under the NHS pathway

What happens next

Once we receive official instruction from our ICB:

• We will identify eligible patients directly
• We will contact those patients ourselves
• We will begin a safe and phased rollout

What you need to do

You do not need to contact the practice about Wegovy.

➡️ If:

• You meet the strict NHS criteria and
• Funding is approved locally

👉 We will contact you directly