FAQ's

Counterweight has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to be available to all health boards across Scotland as of August 2008.

Ideally, because of the potential numbers and different needs of the obese population, a patient pathway needs to be available locally. The pathway should be based on the resource and expertise available to support patients who would benefit from weight management. Counterweight would be a second level intervention above community and public health based initiatives. An additional layer above Counterweight, possibly delivered by dietitians or a specialist service may prove helpful for patients with complex needs.

For a two year funded period, the health board will have a Counterweight Specialist, from the Counterweight project, available to work in the area. Included in the funding are Counterweight resources for 60 practices (based on 50 patients per practice) plus additional funding for an NHS Counterweight Clinician.

Counterweight have developed a comprehensive training package and manual, desk top flip charts for quick access to key information plus a series of 19 patient information booklets. The booklets cover a range of topics from healthy eating and behaviour change to physical activity and information on portion size.

Outcomes from the initial Counterweight research produced clinically beneficial results at 12 and 24 months. These outcomes have been published in peer reviewed scientific journals as well as being presented at international conferences.

Some primary care programmes have provided general practice staff with guidelines and classroom based training around weight management. Evaluation concluded that this did not improve weight change outcomes. The Counterweight programme, in addition to evidence based guidelines and training, provides practical support to facilitate local implementation of the programme. This can either be in general practice or provided by a centrally funded team. A key component of Counterweight is the practice based mentoring which takes place following the initial classroom based training.

Not from the Scottish Government funding. This needs to be discussed at local level. Counterweight was piloted with no additional resource for practices but rather to make better use of time already spent with patients presenting with obesity related problems. However, QOF means that some practices feel activity could be improved where incentives are made available. Counterweight has published extensively around the resource burden of obesity and the work can help shape local decisions around this matter.

Yes. We have protocols and support available to assist with local and national ongoing evaluation of the programme.

Once local processes are in place the work will be sustained where health boards provide ongoing resource for the NHS Counterweight Clinician. This post will have gained the necessary skills and expertise to continue the work with ongoing support provided by Counterweight as required.

In Scotland the Counterweight project provide quarterly reports to the Scottish Government. Local steering groups are encouraged to ensure key stakeholders are involved with the work. All Counterweight Specialists are State Registered with the necessary codes of conduct. The Counterweight project is managed by the Counterweight Project board which includes 8 leading NHS physicians with expertise in obesity. All Counterweight Specialists are employed by the Robert Gordon University.