Decision details

A deed of variation is sought to extend a contract period with an existing provider, Weight Watchers, to enable the balance of 140 pre-paid weight management vouchers to be used. This will enable for the continuation of the delivery of weight management support packages for eligible adults referred by Primary Care, Early Help and Fit for Oldham (Oldham Council’s employee health scheme). No additional financial investment is required and the contract value for the entire duration will not increase and therefore meets requirements of the Council Procurement rules set out within17.1(b).

RESOLVED - That:
Local Authorities have a responsibility for prevention of overweight and obesity and as such in 2017 Oldham Council commissioned the ‘Oldham Weight Loss Voucher Scheme’ from two national weight loss organisations, Slimming World and Weight Watchers, to deliver to the eligible population - i.e. adults with a BMI up to 35kg/m2, resident in Oldham or employed by Oldham Council with no pre-existing eating disorder or untreated medical condition, and who have not self-funded to the weight loss organisation in the last 12 weeks. The contract involved the delivery of weight management support through prepaid (‘voucher’) group activities, printed materials and on-line support for a period of at least 12 weeks, with free further support for individuals meeting weight management targets.
On 15 April 2019 the contract was extended from original end date of 30 April 2019 to 31 October 2019 to enable a balance of 204 pre-paid vouchers to be used. However due to due to lower than expected uptake of the scheme, 140 vouchers were left as of 26 November 2019.
It is being proposed to extend the contract to 31st October 2020 to enable the existing balance to be exhausted. It is anticipated the uptake for the Weight Watchers service would increase as the vouchers for the Slimming World service have been used. This end date will also coincide with the commissioning of a new weight management offer as part of a wider health improvement service.

Option 1 - To extend the contract with Weight Watchers to continue to provide weight management services until end October 2020. This end date will coincide with the commissioning of a new weight management offer as part of a wider health improvement service.
Option 2 - To stop providing the GPs, Early Help and the Fit for Oldham with access to one of the Oldham Weight Loss Voucher Scheme weight management providers thus reducing access to support and risking increased future costs from treating obesity-related illness (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, or liver disease).

Option 2 - To stop providing the GPs, Early Help and the Fit for Oldham with access to one of the Oldham Weight Loss Voucher Scheme weight management providers thus reducing access to support and risking increased future costs from treating obesity-related illness (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, or liver disease).

No consultation has been undertaken