Prototype Regional Obesity Management Service - Consultation

Overview

The Department of Health would welcome your views on its plans to introduce a prototype Regional Obesity Management Service (ROMS) in Northern Ireland. 

Obesity is one of the most significant public health issues facing the population of Northern Ireland today. Having obesity can reduce life expectancy, can increase the risk of a range of health conditions including heart disease, stroke and type II diabetes, and can have a significant detrimental impact on mental health.

However, it is possible, through appropriate weight management programmes and interventions, to significantly reduce the risk of health conditions associated with obesity. 

It is for that reason that the Department of Health is considering introducing a prototype Regional Obesity Management Service (ROMS) in Northern Ireland.    It is intended that this would provide a means for people living with obesity in NI to access treatment and specialist support that is not currently available to them, including weight loss medication and/or weight loss (bariatric) surgery, in line with clinical assessment of need.

The consultation document below provides more detail about the proposed prototype service.

Download this Document

A full suite of documents supporting this consultation, including an Easy Read version, can be accessed below at "Related Documents" and on the Department of Health website.

Online consultation events

We’ve scheduled three joint Healthy Futures / ROMS online consultation engagement events – to be hosted on Zoom – on the dates below.  To book your place at your event of choice, please click the relevant link, which will take you to the Eventbrite booking site.  There are 50 places available for each event, and a waiting list will be available once each event reaches capacity. 

Event #1: 22 January 2024 – 14:00 to 16:00 - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/776842465727?aff=oddtdtcreator(external link opens in a new window / tab)

Event #2: 30 January 2024 – 10:00 to 12:00 - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/794364213747?aff=oddtdtcreator(external link opens in a new window / tab)

Event #3: 31 January 2024 – 19:30 to 21:30 - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/794365848637?aff=oddtdtcreator(external link opens in a new window / tab)

We’re also hosting an in-person engagement event at the Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Main Street, Bellaghy on Tuesday 6 February.

Event #4: 6 February 2024 – 10:00 to 12:00 - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/799509493417?aff=oddtdtcreator(external link opens in a new window / tab). Again, there are 50 places available, and a waiting list will be available once the event reaches capacity. 

Why your views matter

As with any new service, the final decision regarding implementation will be subject to resource availability and Ministerial approval.   However, we are keen to take this consultation forward as a first step in this journey, so that we are in a better position to move quickly and decisively when the time is right. 

This is your opportunity to share your views on whether you see this as an important future service development, and what you see as the important elements of that service.

What happens next

Following the close of the consultation, the Department will consider the responses and evaluate whether any changes should be made to the proposed prototype service model.  A report summarising the consultation findings will be published on the Department’s website.  The Department will continue to engage with stakeholders following the consultation, as this work progresses.