Re: Multidisciplinary teams are needed throughout UK to manage obesity
The RCP working party report “Action on Obesity” provides a much needed focus on the growing challenge of obesity and its associated multiple morbidities (1). The report highlights the need for effective multidisciplinary approaches to the management of severe and complex obesity. Effective preventive action is also required and the report calls for “obesity” champions to be appointed by every NHS Trust to engage with commissioners and providers, a point highlighted in Zosia Kmietowicz news article(2).
The West Midlands Clinical Champion for Prevention Scheme (2011/12) supported 11 NHS Trusts (acute and mental) to appoint senior clinicians to act as “champions” for prevention within their organisations. The clinical champions were allocated one session a week and addressed a number of organisational objectives including assisting the organisation to develop a clear understanding of its contribution to prevention, supporting the development of organisational policies and procedures for health and wellbeing including promoting staff health and well being, encouraging staff training in “brief advice” and supporting appropriate referral pathways and access to lifestyle services for hospital patients.
The clinical prevention champions were able to increase the organisational focus on prevention and facilitate the coordination of health improvement activity within the organisation. A number of organisations committed to embed health improvement seeking accreditation as WHO Health Promoting Hospitals. A qualitative study of the participating clinicians highlighted the essential role of management support in enabling the champion to operate effectively (3). Management needs to communicate through both word and deed how prevention fits into the broader priorities of the organisation supporting this with appropriate implementation policies and practices.
Clinical leadership for the multidisciplinary obesity service is vital however based on learning from the West Midlands Clinical Champion for prevention scheme we suggest that the champion role should have a broader remit to address the multiple risk factors which contribute to obesity and its associated complications.
1) Royal College of Physicians (2013) Action on Obesity -comprehensive care for all: report of a working party. London: Royal College of Physicians
2) Kmietowicz, Z. (2013) Multidisciplinary teams are needed throughout UK to manage Obesity. BMJ;346:e8679
3) Abudu, L. (2013). The West Midlands Clinical Champion for Prevention Scheme 2011 -2012 Report
(unpublished)
Competing interests:
No competing interests
29 May 2013
Lola Abudu
Consultant in Public Health
Public Health England West Midlands Centre
St Chad's Court, 213 Hagley Road, Birmingham B16 9RG
Rapid Response:
Re: Multidisciplinary teams are needed throughout UK to manage obesity
The RCP working party report “Action on Obesity” provides a much needed focus on the growing challenge of obesity and its associated multiple morbidities (1). The report highlights the need for effective multidisciplinary approaches to the management of severe and complex obesity. Effective preventive action is also required and the report calls for “obesity” champions to be appointed by every NHS Trust to engage with commissioners and providers, a point highlighted in Zosia Kmietowicz news article(2).
The West Midlands Clinical Champion for Prevention Scheme (2011/12) supported 11 NHS Trusts (acute and mental) to appoint senior clinicians to act as “champions” for prevention within their organisations. The clinical champions were allocated one session a week and addressed a number of organisational objectives including assisting the organisation to develop a clear understanding of its contribution to prevention, supporting the development of organisational policies and procedures for health and wellbeing including promoting staff health and well being, encouraging staff training in “brief advice” and supporting appropriate referral pathways and access to lifestyle services for hospital patients.
The clinical prevention champions were able to increase the organisational focus on prevention and facilitate the coordination of health improvement activity within the organisation. A number of organisations committed to embed health improvement seeking accreditation as WHO Health Promoting Hospitals. A qualitative study of the participating clinicians highlighted the essential role of management support in enabling the champion to operate effectively (3). Management needs to communicate through both word and deed how prevention fits into the broader priorities of the organisation supporting this with appropriate implementation policies and practices.
Clinical leadership for the multidisciplinary obesity service is vital however based on learning from the West Midlands Clinical Champion for prevention scheme we suggest that the champion role should have a broader remit to address the multiple risk factors which contribute to obesity and its associated complications.
1) Royal College of Physicians (2013) Action on Obesity -comprehensive care for all: report of a working party. London: Royal College of Physicians
2) Kmietowicz, Z. (2013) Multidisciplinary teams are needed throughout UK to manage Obesity. BMJ;346:e8679
3) Abudu, L. (2013). The West Midlands Clinical Champion for Prevention Scheme 2011 -2012 Report
(unpublished)
Competing interests: No competing interests