Ensuring access to multi-disciplinary obesity services for patients across Wales.

In 2014, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) in Wales established an obesity working group to provide a strategic lead for the RCP’s Action on obesity report in Wales. This multi-disciplinary group answers into the RCP’s advisory group on weight and health in London.

The group’s work has raised the RCP’s profile with public health teams across Wales, increased awareness of RCP messages on obesity, encouraged service change, and supported RCP fellows and members who are calling for investment in obesity services.

Most recently, members of the RCP Wales obesity group met with the directors of public health at every health board in Wales to discuss the urgent need to implement the Welsh Government All Wales Obesity Pathway and the RCP Action on obesity recommendations. The group’s priority is to establish patient access to multidisciplinary level 3 obesity services across Wales, supported by proper funding.

Following meetings with every health board in Wales, as well as Public Health Wales and the Welsh Government, the group will publish a follow-up progress report in summer 2015. For more information about the group’s work, or to get involved, please contact Lowri Jackson, RCP senior policy and public affairs adviser for Wales, at Lowri.Jackson@rcplondon.ac.uk.