APPENDIX 50
Supplementary memorandum by Amanda Avery
(OB 111A)
Following the Health Select Committee meeting
on 18 December 2003, I would like to present information about
the cost of slimming on referral as I promised on the day.
Presenting the costs of attendance at a commercial
slimming organisation in contrast to the costs of drug treatment
gives some illustration of the potential cost savings; (although
it needs to be appreciated that the obesity drugs should only
be given with additional support whereas attendance at a commercial
slimming group provides much more with the aim being to empower
individuals to make life long changes to manage their weight).
ORLISTAT—daily treatment for 1 year £537
SIBUTRAMINE—daily treatment for 1 year
£510
SLIMMING WORLD—weekly attendance for 1
year £180
As I mentioned at the meeting one of my public
health colleagues was particularly interested in the cost per
patient who were referred into the "slimming on referral"
programme. Allowing for those people who did not complete the
programme, he calculated that each person who lost >10% of
body weight would cost £344. Given the health benefits of
a 10% weight loss he felt this was extremely cost effective.
Obviously maintenance of weight loss is extremely
important and it may be of interest that Slimming World currently
has 12,000 target members attending weekly group sessions, and
whilst at an individually agreed target weight they do not have
to pay weekly fees.
One factor which I felt was not particularly
well covered at the meeting was the need to address inequalities
in health. The feasibility study in Southern Derbyshire did identify
that for some individuals cost of attending a commercial slimming
organisation can be a barrier to attendance. I enclose a copy
of the full report for further details. Although it suggests this
is a draft copy it is likely to only be the lay-out which changes.
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