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Weight-loss jab Wegovy is now available to NHS patients – but only through specialist weight management services. 

The weekly injection has been hailed as a wonder drug by those wanting to shed weight, from celebrities to obesity patients.

The NHS rollout of the drug will be limited to people needing medical help to lose weight.

Only patients with a BMI over 30, or more than 27 with one weight-related comorbidity, will be able to access the drug.

The drug, also known as semaglutide, will be prescribed alongside a reduced calorie diet and exercise from September 4.

Semaglutide works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide one) to manage hunger and slow down digestion.

It is also the active ingredient in Ozempic, which was the first of the weight loss jabs to blow up on TikTok.

Read more:
Ozempic to Wegovy: benefits and downsides
Wegovy supply issues as private clinics stockpile

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How does semaglutide work?

The National Institute for Care and Excellence (Nice) gave Wegovy the green light for NHS use earlier this year.

Its guidance said it should be used for a maximum of two years.

About 50,000 NHS patients in England could be prescribed Wegovy, an NHS spokesperson said.

But the drug is in short supply.

Wegovy manufacturer Novo Nordisk said it expects supply “to be constrained for the foreseeable future”.

A “proportion of available supply” has been allocated to NHS services.

“We will continue to work with healthcare professionals to help ensure that patients with the highest unmet medical need are prioritised,” the company said.

The drug will also be available privately, but the manufacturer has not disclosed how much this will cost.

In the US, the drug sells for as much as $1,350 (£1,070) a month.

The NHS has also been urged to use virtual platforms to prescribe weight loss drugs in future.

In draft guidelines, NICE recommended the use of four online platforms that allow specialists to provide virtual care to obesity patients, saying face-to-face settings were unable to meet demand.

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In pictures: Donald Trump given royal welcome as UK state visit begins

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In pictures: Donald Trump given royal welcome as UK state visit begins

Donald Trump has kicked off his second state visit to the UK with a royal greeting, carriage procession and gun salute.

As the US president and the First Lady Melania Trump touched down in a rainy Windsor, they were greeted by Prince William and Kate, before meeting King Charles and Queen Camilla.

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The national anthems of the UK and US were then played as a carriage procession carried the Trumps and the King and Queen towards Windsor Castle.

Here, Mr Trump inspected the Guard of Honour before heading inside the castle. Tonight, a grand state banquet will be held in honour of the US president, where both the King and Mr Trump are expected to give speeches.

Trump spoke with reporters from the White House on Tuesday before setting off. Pic: AP
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Trump spoke with reporters from the White House on Tuesday before setting off. Pic: AP

The Marine One helicopter landed in Windsor from London. Pic: PA
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The Marine One helicopter landed in Windsor from London. Pic: PA

Donald and Melania Trump were welcomed to Windsor by William and Kate. Pic: PA
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Donald and Melania Trump were welcomed to Windsor by William and Kate. Pic: PA

King Charles received the US president alongside the Queen.
Pic: PA
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King Charles received the US president alongside the Queen.
Pic: PA

The pair appeared to share a laugh ahead of the carriage procession. Pic: PA
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The pair appeared to share a laugh ahead of the carriage procession. Pic: PA

The carriage procession arriving at Windsor Castle.
Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA
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The carriage procession arriving at Windsor Castle.
Pic: Andrew Matthews/PA

The Irish State Coach carrying King Charles and Donald Trump.
Pic: Chris Jackson/PA
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The Irish State Coach carrying King Charles and Donald Trump.
Pic: Chris Jackson/PA

The Prince and Princess of Wales during the carriage procession to Windsor Castle
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The Prince and Princess of Wales during the carriage procession to Windsor Castle

The horse-drawn procession makes its way towards Windsor Castle.
Pic: Reuters
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The horse-drawn procession makes its way towards Windsor Castle.
Pic: Reuters

Mr Trump pictured among the guard of honour.
Pic: Jonathan Brady/PA
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Mr Trump pictured among the guard of honour.
Pic: Jonathan Brady/PA

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Pic: Reuters

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Pic: Reuters

Donald Trump salutes troops as Queen Camilla's eye catches the camera. Pic: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Wire
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Donald Trump salutes troops as Queen Camilla’s eye catches the camera. Pic: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Wire

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Pic: Reuters

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Pic: PA

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Pic:Reuters

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Pic: Reuters

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Pic: PA

A supporter of Trump stood outside Windsor Castle ahead of the parade
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A supporter of Trump stood outside Windsor Castle ahead of the parade

Meanwhile, Stop Trump Coalition campaigners protested. Pic: PA
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Meanwhile, Stop Trump Coalition campaigners protested. Pic: PA

A campaigner drags a mannequin dressed like Trump along the ground. Pic: PA
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A campaigner drags a mannequin dressed like Trump along the ground. Pic: PA

Trump, along with the King and Queen, then viewed items on display during a visit to the Royal Collection exhibition at Windsor Castle.
Pic: PA
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Trump, along with the King and Queen, then viewed items on display during a visit to the Royal Collection exhibition at Windsor Castle.
Pic: PA

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Pic: PA

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Pic: Reuters

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Pic: Reuters

The Trumps visit St. George's Chapel during their state visit.
Pic: Reuters
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The Trumps visit St. George’s Chapel during their state visit.
Pic: Reuters

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Ricky Hatton was ‘in a good place’ before death, his family says

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Ricky Hatton was 'in a good place' before death, his family says

Ricky Hatton was “in a good place” before his death, his family has said – as the son of the boxing legend paid tribute to his father.

“Heartbroken isn’t the word,” Campbell Hatton said in the post, alongside a series of family photos.

“Everybody has always said I was your double – never a truer word said. Looked up to you in every aspect of life.”

Hatton was found dead at his home in Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Sunday. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

Campbell’s tribute came after others poured in from across the world of sport and beyond.

Like his father, Campbell pursued a career in boxing, making his professional debut in 2021. He retired earlier this year.

He added in his post: “Can’t explain how much I’m going to miss the laughs we had and all the good times, which I will remember forever. Just can’t believe we won’t have any more. Love you, Dad.”

Hatton had announced he was coming out of retirement for an exhibition bout on 2 December, in Dubai.

That would have marked 13 years since his last professional contest.

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‘More than a champion’ – Hatton family’s tribute

He was “excited for the future” before his death, his family said in a new statement on Wednesday.

“We are all distraught at the events of recent days,” they said.

“To all our knowledge, despite his well-documented struggles, Richard was in a good place.

“He was excited for the future; his bag was packed ready to go to Dubai to promote a comeback fight and he was planning a celebration in Dubai of which his beloved girls Millie and Fearne were to be the centre of. He was excited that they would see him fight for the first time in person.”

He had dinner with his girls on Friday night and “was not alone in life or in the days before the weekend”.

“We are all in shock at the events that unfolded at the weekend,” they said. “Richard was found by his friend and long-time manager Paul Speak, who we are supporting at this time, along with Richard’s parents, Ray and Carol, his children and the wider family.

“The outpouring of grief and love from the nation and worldwide shows how much Richard was loved. It will, in time, be something that gives us all some comfort and pride.”

Details of a memorial service would be released in due course, they added.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has said the city will give consideration to how best to honour Hatton’s memory properly in the weeks and months ahead.

One of the many tributes laid in memory of Hatton. Pic: PA
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One of the many tributes laid in memory of Hatton. Pic: PA

‘The people’s champ’

It comes after soap star Claire Sweeney said she “adored and cherished” her ex-boyfriend. They were long-time friends and dated for several months after competing on Dancing On Ice in 2024.

Soap star Sweeney wrote on Instagram: “I’ve needed a few days to process the devastating news about my dear friend Ricky.

“My thoughts are with his family especially his children Campbell, Millie Fearne and Lyla, his granddaughter.

“Ricky, you were the people’s champ. We adored and cherished you. Love you always.”

She also posted a montage of photos of them together.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

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Woman shot by husband on Valentine’s Day after trying to escape relationship

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Woman shot by husband on Valentine's Day after trying to escape relationship

A woman was shot and killed by her husband outside a pub on Valentine’s Day after trying to leave the relationship, an inquest heard.

Lisa Smith, 43, was shot twice in the neck in the car park of The Three Horseshoes in Knockholt, Kent, on 14 February this year.

She had earlier told her sister she was leaving her husband, Edward Smith, and had got on a train from their home in Slough to stay with family in Kent.

Mr Smith tracked her down at the pub that evening before blocking her friend’s car with his and firing four shots with a handgun, Kent and Medway Coroner’s Court heard.

A police cordon outside the Three Horseshoes pub. Pic: PA
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A police cordon outside the Three Horseshoes pub. Pic: PA

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Pic: PA

On Wednesday, area coroner Katrina Hepburn concluded Ms Smith died from unlawful killing and found “requisite intent from Edward Smith to kill her or cause her really serious harm”.

After killing his wife, Mr Smith, also known as Edvard Stockings, sent voice notes to someone he called “Nana”, saying: “I’ve shot Lisa, she’s dead.”

He then jumped to his death from the Queen Elizabeth II bridge in Dartford later that evening.

In one of the voice notes he alluded to suicide and stated: “Hopefully I’m going to get into heaven with my wife.”

Forensics at the scene after the shooting
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Forensics at the scene after the shooting

Detective Sergeant James Dolby told the court that Ms Smith was picked up at Orpington station by her friends and sister shortly before they went to the pub.

Just before 7pm, Ms Smith was in the passenger seat of her friend’s car in the pub car park when her husband arrived, having called her and her friends multiple times while looking for her.

There was a “verbal altercation” between him and Ms Smith’s sister, Laura, who called him a “narcissist” inside the pub before he got back in his car and left.

DS Dolby said Mr Smith then went on to block the Seat car from exiting.

The first two shots from his handgun were fired from inside his own vehicle.

Tributes left at the scene following the shooting
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Tributes left at the scene following the shooting

The coroner said: “He pulled forward in the car and fired a second shot, he was seen to exit the vehicle with arms outstretched holding a handgun and firing a shot through the driver’s side car window.”

It was this third shot that caused “fatal damage” to Ms Smith’s neck, before he came around to the passenger side and fired at her again from close range.

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“Four shots were fired, the first two from within his vehicle towards the Seat. There were no injuries consistent with the trajectory of those first two bullets,” said Ms Hepburn.

Despite CPR from members of the public and emergency services, Ms Smith died from her injuries at 7.42pm.

Setting out her conclusion, the coroner said: “I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that a short form conclusion of unlawful killing would be safe and appropriate to set out in this manner.

“There was intent to find Lisa Smith after she had left her home address and once she was found the car she was seated in was blocked, preventing any exit.”

An inquest into the death of Mr Smith will take place this afternoon.

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