Morning:
8°c
Health bosses pay thousands for slimming advice that's free on NHS
Mark Blunden3 Sep 2009
Private firms are set to make record profits as the NHS tackles London's obesity crisis.
A weight-loss company is setting its sights on primary care trusts across the capital after winning a contract with London's "fattest borough".
Sureslim, which promises patients they can lose about 4.5kg (10lb) a month, has nearly doubled its turnover in a year. The value of its approach is questioned by some academics and campaigners and its product has not been put under trial in Britain.
The Department of Health is encouraging primary care trusts to seek help from private firms through its £372million Change 4 Life strategy to fight obesity. One in five adults in London is classed as clinically obese - or so fat that their health is in danger.
Barking and Dagenham primary care trust has paid more than £53,000 so far for 180 people to be put through Sureslim's six months bespoke meal plan. The firm claims some people lose 2kg a week. The money, paid over the six-month pilot scheme which began in January, is equivalent to the salary of two NHS dieticians.
The PCT says Sureslim offered better value than stomach-stapling and gastric band surgery, which can cost up to £10,000 a time. Daryl Taylor, chief executive of Sureslim UK, said: "We offer a tailor-made solution. What makes us special is the support that goes with it.
"We are looking at targeting other London boroughs from October when we have concrete results from Barking and Dagenham."
But Dr Kevin Whelan, nutritional sciences lecturer at King's College London, said: "The advice they seem to be giving sounds like nothing more than good standard dietary advice to eat low glycemic index foods and more fruit and vegetables. It's the same advice any NHS dietician would give you."
Professor Wendy Savage, co-chairwoman of Keep Our NHS Public, added: "We are concerned the service could be inferior to that offered over the long term in NHS hospitals. We need more dieticians, long-term changes in what we eat, and to tackle unhealthy food advertising instead."
Sureslim admits it had not carried out UK trials before approaching Barking and Dagenham. It is relying on Australian data from 2004, which apparently show impressive results. The New Lifestyle Company, which runs the brand, nearly doubled its turnover from £636,000 in 2007 to £1.26million last year. Profits leapt from £18,500 to £147,500 in that period.
NHS figures reveal almost a quarter of Barking and Dagenham's population is obese, the worst rate in London. It is followed by Havering, Brent and Bexley. Tower Hamlets has the lowest rate.
Dr Justin Varney, assistant director of health improvement at Barking and Dagenham PCT, said: "We try to give a range of options, from dance classes to Sureslim. So far it looks like a success but we are reviewing all of our contracts in relation to obesity."
The Department of Health said other PCTs could follow the borough if the Sureslim pilot proved successful.
Reader views (9)
The healthy eating advice offered by Sure-Slim is supported by medical opinion and analysis.The 3-meals a day plans rigorously promote the use fresh and unprocessed foods as well portion control. There is often a meal of the week that detail how good ‘diet’ food can taste, showing people how to prepare their food as well introducing exciting and new flavours. The plans are so individualised, so carefully thought through that they can take into account life style as well as medical conditions; unlike other diet plans it is possible to have a vegetarian, gluten free diet. Coupled with flexible, open and honest support, something one would wish from any programme, those committed to eating healthy can only succeed.
- Plw, London, 18/09/2009 15:26
Report abuse
I have never been to any weight loss programmes or initiatives before but found myself drawn to Sureslim as I know people who had successful not only lost weight, but whose weight had stayed off, they not only looked good but their health had improved too.
As a person who hardly ever visits the GP and who has always worked and paid full National Insurance contributions I feel not that I'm owed or due the money but that if it is going to benefit me and my health in the long term that there is a potential saving there for the future.
I did have a couple of self managed medical conditions which have now disappeared, hence me saying that in the long term as well as me feeling wonderful with my weight loss of over 3 stone since May 2009, the NHS will probably be saving money as I get older.
Sureslim has been great for me, and the consultant is fantastic. I visit weekly as it suits me to do so and my consultant is always accomodating/flexible with appointment times. Making me feel comfortable, important and giving me support and encouragement.
My programme was made up for me after looking into results from a blood test, and took into account my likes and dislikes, allergies and health problems, my lifestyle, height, build etc.
I really don't feel that two NHS Dieticians would be able to cover the committment and/or the hours put in by these lovely people.
A BIG thank you to my GP, Barking & Dagenham PCT and to SURESLIM.
- Donna, Dagenham, UK, 18/09/2009 14:26
Report abuse
I have tried many diets in the past but I have to say that Sureslim is the first one that has really worked for me. To date I have lost over 2 stone and this weight has stayed off - I would recommend this eating plan to anyone. The level of personal support & encouragement is second to none.I think the people of Barking & Dagenham are very lucky to have such a forward looking PCT.
- Margaret Suffield, Brentwood, Essex, 18/09/2009 14:26
Report abuse
You have to be a complete muppet to waste your money on these weight lost groups. Eat three meals a day and do plenty of exercise. Simple
- David, London, 18/09/2009 14:26
Report abuse
Correction : Whilst we are delighted the Evening Standard have chosen to review elements of the Barking & Dagenham PCT trial that puts 180 patients onto the SureSlim Eating Plan we wish to reiterate that the period for patients to follow the plan is 6 months not 6 weeks as quoted in earlier editions of the paper. Furthermore we are delighted with the results and to date have seen a collective weight loss of over 700lbs within the community together with significant improvements in lipids, glucose and overall health.
- Daryl Taylor Ceo Sureslim Wellness Clinic, Reigate, England, 18/09/2009 14:26
Report abuse
I'd choose healthy eating with sureSlim over stomach stapling and gastric bands any day! GP's seem to be very quick to recommend major operations these days - surely if there is a diet out there that can actually fix the cause of the problem rather than just prescribing ridiculous pills, it would be in the interest of patient and Doctor to give it a try?
- Nora H, Lincs, 18/09/2009 14:26
Report abuse
Whilst i paid for my programme private, i can truly say that every penny was worth it,this diet saved my life. I had tried every diet there was on the market and this was my last resort before turning to my GP and asking for an operation. At the age of 37, i was diagnosed with high blood pressure,cholestrol and diabetes and with constant pain in all my joints i thought my life was over.
A friend recommended SureSlim to me, she herself had lost three stone and looked great. I decided this was my last try and took the phone number and made an appointment. I remember my consultant being very understanding, helpful and above all else very encouraging. After blood tests i was given my healthy eating plan, which was tailor made to suit my needs.
Each week i was weighed and measured and we would chat about any problems if there were any. The weight loss fell off and i felt brilliant, week after week i had really good results and to date i have currently lost 9 and 1/2 stone in weight. I have maintained my weight and have come off medication, my diabetes has returned to normal
Thank you SureSlim for saving my life
Janis Spring
- Janis Spring, Romford, Essex, 18/09/2009 14:26
Report abuse
I have been lucky enough to be with Sureslim since the beginning of July, and in that time have lost 16.7 Kg. This diet is for serious dieters, you need to be dedicated. Sureslim have succeeded where others have failed simply by supporting me every step of the way and I would recommemd it to anyone without hesitation.
Don't knock it until you try it, once you have, you will be glad you did.
Paul
- Paul Sephton, Dagenham Essex, 18/09/2009 14:26
Report abuse
First of all David from London, this muppet has tried all of the diets from Rosemary Conley to Weight Watchers. Each week you spend a fee, and also then you buy their products. Then you become disheartened when you only loose a 1lb or stay the same, I am not sayng they are rubbish, its just that when you get an opportunity to join something as good as sure slim then you grab it with both hands. It's so annoying to hear people poo poo something when thay have not giving it a fair chance.
I think the review that has been published is totally unfair, As a family we started the programme at the beginning of may, and between 8 of us we have lost appx 15st. if it was not for Sureslim my father would not have found out he had gout, and is now taking the correct medication for this. also it is tailor made diet and teaches you how to eat properly again eg portion sizes etc. The amount of people that have commented on how healthy and how young we are looking is great and so is the attention.... So if anyone out there is a bit down about their weight then SURESLIM is the way to go.
Right thats me done
Annoyed from Dagenham (not miss piggy any more)
- Bernadette Joy, dagenham uk, 18/09/2009 14:26
Report abuse
