Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has given the green light for a new Regional Obesity Management Service (ROMS) for Northern Ireland, marking a significant step in addressing the region's public health challenge. The service, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, is scheduled to begin its initial phase in early 2026.

The first phase of ROMS will focus on developing a community-based service, providing patients with access to lifestyle support and, where clinically appropriate, obesity medication. Currently, health service patients in Northern Ireland do not have access to specialist weight management provisions, including innovative weight loss injections and medications. This new service will facilitate access to weight loss medication in line with NICE guidance, with a carefully managed phased rollout to ensure safe and effective treatment.

Further phases of the ROMS, subject to additional funding, are planned to develop other interventions, such as bariatric (weight loss) surgery.

The Minister's announcement follows a public consultation by the Department of Health on the proposed introduction of ROMS, which garnered nearly 19,000 responses, overwhelmingly in favour of the service. A report summarising the consultation findings has been published today.

Mr Nesbitt commented: "This is a very significant step forward. I have many competing demands on a seriously overstretched budget but I was determined to prioritise this area." He highlighted the scale of the issue in Northern Ireland: "Obesity is a significant public health issue in Northern Ireland, with 65% of adults and 26% of children living with obesity or overweight." The Minister stressed the associated health risks, noting that those living with obesity or being overweight face a higher risk of major health conditions including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.

Emphasising his broader health strategy, Mr Nesbitt added: "As I have repeatedly emphasised, my ambition is to shift our health’s service focus from treating ill people to helping them stay healthy." He also underlined his focus on health inequalities, pointing out that "Obesity is a contributing factor to health inequalities. It is more prevalent in the most disadvantaged communities (68%) compared to the least disadvantaged (62%)."

The Minister concluded that establishing the ROMS will align Northern Ireland with other parts of the UK. "It will be a phased introduction and will take time and sustained investment to be fully established. Implementation will be taken forward in a carefully managed way to ensure that it operates effectively, with patient numbers building up gradually. Today is nevertheless a very important day for public health," he stated.

A 2015 study estimated the annual cost of obesity to Northern Irish society, including healthcare and productivity costs, at approximately £414 million.

Plans for the Regional Obesity Management Service are part of the Department of Health’s wider obesity strategic framework, 'Healthy Futures'. Consultations for both ran concurrently, with joint engagement events for stakeholders. A 'Healthy Futures' consultation analysis report, outlining the findings on the vision, principles, themes, and population-level outcomes for the new strategic framework, has also been published today. The consultation findings indicated overwhelming support for prevention efforts and a holistic, patient-centred approach, with a focus on addressing health inequalities and promoting equitable access.

Work on the finalisation of the 'Healthy Futures' obesity strategic framework is now well underway, with an aim to publish it in 2025.