Making weight management support easier to access in Forth Valley

News

A transformation of the Adult Weight Management Service in Forth Valley has dramatically improved access and patient experience – reducing waiting times and empowering people to take control of their health.

The summary of achievements by Nutrition, Dietetic, and Weight Management Services has been presented to members of Falkirk’s Performance, Audit and Assurance committee which oversees the quality and performance of local services.

The service launched a comprehensive improvement project in June last year to address waiting times, improve outcomes, and utilise staff resources as effectively as possible.

Pivotal to improving access to support, new information sessions are now offered within six weeks of referral. These sessions provide early, meaningful contact, and allow people to explore local options and choose the most appropriate support – from locally delivered programmes and physical activity groups to digital options and self-management resources.

The transformative changes to the service have been delivered within existing resources and have reduced demand for specialist support. This has freed up capacity to ensure targeted help is provided to those who need it most.

In a short video presented to Committee members, feedback from individuals who have accessed support over the last year summarised the positive impact the changes have made on people’s lives.

One participant shared: “Attending an information session gave me the confidence to fully commit. The group was supportive and motivating. I enjoyed sharing experiences and the staff were welcoming and never judgemental.”

Another adds: “Initially I was self-conscious and unsure I would attend consistently. The one-to-one support helped, I’m now doing five activity sessions a week, combining classes and gym activity.

“Attending the information was a really good kick start and the whole programme has exceeded my expectations. The programme has made a huge positive impact.”

 

Other improved measurements include:

  • Waiting times reduced from 75 weeks to under 18 weeks.
  • 40% of people choosing to self-manage their weight instead of waiting for specialist help.
  • Retention rates in groups improved from 57% to 83%, with people engaging with the service for longer.
  • Staff experience improved, with increased job satisfaction and confidence.
  • Complaints down, compliments up, with patients reporting life-changing results.

Aaron Fraser, Allied Health Professions Co-ordinator, explains: “This transformation is not just about reducing waiting times – it’s about giving people control over their health journey and ensuring our services are responsive, inclusive, and sustainable.”

For more information or to self-refer for weight management support, visit the NHS Forth Valley website.

This article is based upon the Deep Dive Report presented to the Performance, Audit, and Assurance Committee on 22 August 2025. The full report can be found on the committee pages.