Abstracts / Posters
Delivery of weight management using the Counterweight Programme in NHS Fife, via general practice and community pharmacies
Scottish Public Health Conference, 12th November 2010
The Counterweight Project Team
Objective: To evaluate weight loss outcomes and attendance of the NHS Fife Keep Well population using the Counterweight Programme, in general practices and community pharmacies.
Background: Keep Well is an anticipatory care project for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) targeting people aged 45-64 years, in areas of high deprivation in Scotland. The CVD risk assessment identifies those eligible for weight management.
The Counterweight Programme, has been funded by the Scottish Government in NHS Fife since 2008. Counterweight is a feasible, clinically and cost effective UK Primary Care weight management programme, and has been peer reviewed
Lack of incentivisation, perceived limited success and competing priorities have been identified as barriers for general practice to deliver weight management.
The role of community pharmacy in providing health improvements and reducing health equalities is recognized in several key documents, including the Public Health Service Directions 2007 of the Community Pharmacy Contract. Previous research demonstrates community pharmacy delivery of weight management is as effective as general practice.
Method: From September 2009 to June 2010 practices and community pharmacies were recruited to deliver the Counterweight Programme. Specialist dietitians provided training, support and resources to practices nurses and pharmacy support staff. An incentivisation scheme and data collection systems were implemented. Weight loss outcomes and attendance were evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months.
Results: Six practices and sixteen pharmacies implemented the programme. Weight change at 3 and 6m was -2.3kg and -2.8kg in pharmacies (n= 189) and -2.8kg and -4.0kg in practices (n = 83) respectively. Weight change of ≥ 5% at 3 and 6m was 18% and 29% in pharmacies and 19% and 31% in practices respectively. Attendance at 3m was 45% in practices and 62% in pharmacies, and at 6m was 43% in both groups. 12 month data will be presented.
Conclusion: General practice and community pharmacy achieve compariable and clinically benefical weight loss using the Counterweight programme in NHS Fife.
Authorship:
Miss Naomi Brosnahan, Counterweight Specialist, The Counterweight Project Team.
Miss Janie Gordon, Professional Head of Service, Nutrition & Dietetics, NHS Fife.
Mrs Debbie Paterson, NHS Counterweight Clinician, NHS Fife.
Mrs Andrea Smith, Community Pharmacy Development Pharmacist, NHS Fife
The Counterweight Project Team