The Health Minister has set out the first phase of Northern Ireland's new Regional Obesity Management Service (ROMS), a £5 million initiative designed to provide comprehensive support for adults living with obesity.

With 65% of adults in Northern Ireland living with obesity or excess weight, ROMS will offer access to weight-loss medication where clinically appropriate and in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance, combined with lifestyle interventions to maximise results.

ROMS is scheduled to begin rolling out in early autumn 2026, initially targeting those with the highest clinical need to achieve the greatest health benefits.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: "This is a very important day for Northern Ireland as this new service will help improve the lives of many people. Obesity is a significant public health issue and those living with being overweight or obese are at a higher risk of a range of major health conditions including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

"This service aligns with my vision for the future of Health and Social Care (HSC), shifting left and bringing care closer to people's front doors, as set out in my recently published Neighbourhood Model of health and wellbeing.

"Health inequalities has been one of my main areas of focus since I became Health Minster. Obesity disproportionately affects those from disadvantaged communities (68%) compared to the least disadvantaged (62%). The shift from treating ill health to helping people stay well will support longer, healthier, and more active lives, bringing Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the UK and improving health outcomes." ROMS will be implemented alongside the Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP), which has secured a £7 million share of an £85 million fund from the UK Government and pharmaceutical company Lilly, and will be delivered in partnership with the community and voluntary sector.

Backed by an additional £2 million from the Department of Health, the service will offer multiple routes into support, including social prescribing options and self-referral. Self-referral will allow people to set personal goals directly with an HSC clinician without needing a GP referral.

Minister Nesbit added: "OPIP is a very welcome initiative that has been secured in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA) and Northern Ireland Health Collective. This partnership allows us to work with a range of HSC organisations and voluntary and community sector to ensure effective service delivery, supporting people in their communities."

Delivery of OPIP will commence in August, with ROMS implementation following in autumn 2026 and an initial emphasis on individuals with the greatest clinical need. Together, the initiatives represent significant added investment in tackling obesity and will expand the support available to those affected.

Phase one of ROMS will be for adults aged 18 and over with a BMI above 45 and at least one of the following conditions: atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (including ischaemic heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease and heart failure), hypertension requiring medication, dyslipidaemia (raised cholesterol or triglycerides), obstructive sleep apnoea confirmed by sleep study, or type 2 diabetes.

Separately, if your BMI is between 30 and 39.9, you may be eligible for the OPIP weight management programme.

The Department's 2023 consultation on introducing an obesity management service drew just under 19,000 responses, with overwhelming support for the proposal. In total, £20 million has been invested in tackling obesity in Northern Ireland, combining Department of Health funding with external support, including Eli Lilly (alongside DSIT) and INTERREG PEACEPLUS projects.