Any adult with concerns about their weight can now enrol on a specialist NHS course without seeing their doctor or any other medical professional first.

The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme has been running successfully across Staffordshire – but now people can enrol themselves. All you need to know is your height and weight and then you can choose from several different free courses – just choose the one that appeals most to you.

Lindsay Cary, Advanced Weight Management & Diabetes Dietitian and ICS weight management programme manager for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent said: “Excess weight can lead to a number of health-related conditions ranging from Type 2 Diabetes to arthritis of the hip and knees, and it can make existing conditions more complicated. That’s why it’s important we do everything possible to help people maintain a heathier weight and wellbeing by making small changes to their lives that can make a big difference.

“There are a number of different online programmes to choose from, they all set realistic goals combining healthy eating, nutrition and exercise with behaviour change support. There are even interactive versions that let you put questions to a dietitian.”

You can choose whether your own GP is informed that you’ve enrolled on a programme or you can opt out of telling them. Each course lasts for 12 weeks.

Lindsay said: “It’s a positive move that you can now go on one of these courses, which can be highly effective, without being referred by a GP or other professional.

“You can now sign up without having been diagnosed with a weight-related health condition – you could just be wanting to be more active and have extra energy. This can improve yourphysical and mental wellbeing. If you’re aged over 18 and your height-weight ratio means you meet the criteria, you will be accepted.”

Online enrolment generally takes about 10 minutes.