Letter to Editor: “Fat jabs” seem to be thin on the ground in Harlow
Politics / Tue 15th Jul 2025 at 08:19am
Dear Editor,
MY recent attempt to get ‘fat jab’ Mounjaro prescribed by the NHS was surprisingly successful, which GPs were permitted to prescribe from June 23. In my case I was given a prescription due to worsening long-term Type 2 diabetes.
However, information I received from a GP surgery highlighted how few will benefit from these trailblazing new injections that Health Secretary Wes Streeting reckons will be part of one of the “3 radical shifts” to “reinvent the NHS”: from Sickness to Prevention.
These three missions were trumpeted in the new ‘Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England’ unveiled by Streeting on July 3. Unfortunately, media coverage highlighted the obesity treatment element of the new injections Mounjaro and Wegovy. Improving health outcomes for diabetes and high cholesterol sufferers was much further down the column inches.
Unfortunately, a visit to a GP surgery confirmed a BBC Radio 4 Today Programme from July 7 which highlighted the Department of Health’s strict eligibility criteria for GPs prescribing the ‘fat jabs’. One such criteria is a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40, which the NHS website describes as “in the severely obese range”.
The NHS England website spells out the situation:
“At first, people living with obesity who have been diagnosed with 4 of the weight-related health problems listed above and a BMI of 40 or more (adjusted for ethnicity) will be eligible to access tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) through primary care settings.”
The weight related health problems referred to above are stated as including:
dyslipidaemia (abnormal fat levels in the blood);
hypertension (high blood pressure);
obstructive sleep apnoea (when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep);
cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessel disease);
type 2 diabetes mellitus.
My cynicism was compounded by the numbers of people being granted the new injection. I was reliably informed by the GP surgery that out of a total patient list of over 10,000 only 15 patients passed the criteria.
I’m sure some Labour Party politicians will dispute this, but I challenge the Editor to make Freedom of Information requests of local surgeries to get the facts of what is a scandalous bit of grandstanding by our Labour government.
What is also concerning is the quote from the National Pharmacy Association’s chairman Olivier Picard, published by Sky News on June 23, who says “prescribing these medications alone misses the point”.
Mr Picard argued that they need to be part of a comprehensive strategy that includes lifestyle coaching, exercise and nutritional guidance – but many GPs currently “lack the bandwidth” to provide this support.
Whilst I am one of the lucky ones, I am genuinely concerned that hundreds, possibly thousands, in Harlow are missing out on these life changing drugs. Over the past nine months I have watched the health of a member of my family be positively transformed by Ozempic (similar drug to Wegovy).
Sadly, the availability of these life changing ‘fat jabs’ via the NHS are thin on the ground.
Regards,
Name and Address supplied
Adrienne
2025-07-16 03:56:07
I think that although fat jabs are used. It is up to the individual to remember that once on them they have to change their diet. It is hard to change your eating routine. And as I have had to lose a few stone know how difficult that can be. You have to make real changes to your diet. Buy a smaller plate and eat less . That in itself will reeducate your stomach. I was never really happy with my weight when I put it on. But until people stop saying that I am happy with my weight they will find it hard to lose the extra pounds. It puts stresses on your body's organs and also it the extra strain on your joints. Which in time will wear out . That is why so many people have worn out knees and hips. You are essentially carrying extra weight around. If you have a real look at your diet eat and drink less calories you will see a big change. People think it is just food that is the problem. Drinking excessive amounts has a knock on effect as well. Add to that the dangers of sugar free drinks and their additive such as saccharin which in high doses can lead to renal failure .And sucralose which is called tnt light.(And can be very damaging to the body if taken in hot food). You are set up to become even more ill. There has been some good achievements in drinking kefir. But even that has it's side effects for some people.But I you can make your own kefir if you buy the grains and add milk to it. Which I am told has quite an effect in improving you guys health. Myself I know that it is not that difficult to lose weight over time.Doing it too quickly can make your body need to send out signals. Craving signals which make you binge. So to conclude this post . Try to log everything you eat and drink. Buy a smaller plate and cup than you usually use .eat your same diet for a minute month slowly introduce some veggies and fruit and fish. Try to make your own food.Processed food,even though some of it is healthy can be really expensive. Not everyone can afford it. And the action of cooking yourself own food can take time. But that is a good idea.Because the effort of cooking your own food gives you something to do and you will be too busy to snack all the time. Try to look after your body you only have one.You should see the benefits within a year.. Just keep cutting down your food intake and adding healthy foods to it and in no time you can use the money you save to buy smaller clothes. (I have gone down a few sizes from a twenty to a 10. I don't excersise as I found that made me hungrier. Try and make a friend who supports you. Loneliness is not a good thing.Yoy maybe take up a hobby so your hands a full. Read a book or take up knitting or join a health spa.You will be able to treat yourself to a day out in no time .
David Forman
2025-07-16 06:56:22
Well done Adrienne in dropping from a size 20 to a size 10.
Adrienne
2025-07-16 20:17:25
Thanks David,it took a bit of will power but shows you can do it without help if you are determined. I would certainly advise everyone who can't get the jab to have a steely constitution and try and do it yourself.
Adrienne
2025-07-16 20:46:25
Still have another 8 pounds to go then I will be happy with my correct weight for my height.
David Forman
2025-07-16 21:13:19
Best of luck Adrienne. Now doubt you already feel better.
Adrienne
2025-07-17 03:54:59
I do.Iwish to take this chance to say proper thankyou. I know this isn't the right page. But I think it's high time to bring up a few more subjects to the table. The bedroom tax which is crippling alot of people as you have to pay a council tax contribution as well. The widows allowance which has been stopped. I think we have made some in roads on the disability allowances.But I fear not enough has been given to people with permanent situations. Also,the situation with Russia and the Ukraine. If I receive a proper invite to Parliament from Chris Vince,I am sure that I could solve this expensive situation.. I know that Sir Kier. Would very much like to make a deal and I am open to fix this situation personally. There seems to be alot of male testosterone involved here . It. Seems that it is the right time to intervene now . Alot of ordinary people are being affected by this war..I feel if someone or all of the trading embargoes are lifted from the platform,there could be a deal to be made Obviously,,the Russian president is upset with the way this situation has been drawn. It has cost alot of man lives.I am not happy about this and those people who have contributed to it should be ashamed. But to go forward I think there is a simple way forward Even though I do not know the Russian president personally. I have an innate sense of what has gone on. Past sins have made this war and alot of underhand plans. That being said It is the the right time for a peaceful resolution. Perhaps,to offer the Russian President a proper peace deal on the table. He may even then be open to Britain being a number one friend with all the benefits that would go with it . He may even then broker a deal to help transport the much needed minerals that we crave . Perhaps if we the British government offer to help rebuild his pipeline which was so cruelly destroyed as well.He may find that acceptable . We do so desperately need and I quote from a recent conversation with a new friend who was a man and feels the same way about the situation,""less PENISS' and more capable embassy staff to help resolve this issue ". War is a nasty and hurtful response to an injustice. But by now everyone is feeling the pinch. We don't really need the expenses if a prolonged problem with Russia. So for the last time.A proper invite through the post maybe of great help to the British government. That is all I have to say on the matter.
Ted
2025-07-20 13:20:35
Adrienne. Well done for dropping so much weight. I think will power is important to . You write very well concerning how to lose weight . I,ve heard of someone who has all the problems you have to have to be prescribed the fat jabs , but the NHS has said he has to pay £90 per month. Still after all your good advice about losing weight and getting healthier , you let yourself down with your views on PUTIN . He does not do deals or he would have done it by now , who in their right mind would do a deal with him. Let Russians kick him out then perhaps we then could do a deal with Russia. You also say in a past post that Russia helped us in WW2. But you fail to mention they were on the side of Germany when they invaded Poland , and split the country between them , with Russia controlling the east (i think) . And the only reason they sided with us was that Germany was going to invaded Russia next. If Germany had not decided to invaded Russia , they probably would have been our enemy.
Ted
2025-07-20 13:28:51
Also YH, how ironic it was to read at the bottom of Adrienne post on losing weight, you put an ad for restaurants near by
tim
2025-07-24 14:11:04
fat jabs are not a magic wand and they might have side affects as well, if you dont change your diet and eat less crap food you wont lose weight
Adrienne
2025-08-02 21:39:55
It's all habit forming .Just eat less and pounds will drop off.
Leave a Comment Below:
10 Comments for Letter to Editor: “Fat jabs” seem to be thin on the ground in Harlow: