Connect with us

Published

on

Thousands of people with severe obesity are being denied access to effective treatment because the NHS rollout of the weight loss jab Wegovy is happening far more slowly than planned, research by Sky News shows.

Freedom of Information requests reveal that just 800 people had been prescribed the drug through hospital weight-loss services by the end of April – despite estimates by the Department of Health that 13,500 should have started treatment by then.

Sky News spoke to several patients who have been denied the jab on the NHS.

Ken Pollock
Image:
Ken Pollock is in severe pain from osteoarthritis, but has been denied Wegovy

One was told there was no prospect of treatment, despite needing to lose five stones (32kg) before surgeons are prepared to go ahead with a double knee transplant.

Dr Robert Andrews of the University of Exeter, who has run clinical trials of new obesity drugs, said access was a “postcode lottery”.

He said: “As a doctor, you go into the profession to try and help people.

“But we are unable to offer treatment to everyone who could benefit. And that’s really difficult.

More on Health

“Money follows for other illnesses, but it doesn’t for this illness. And that’s really a form of bias.

“Seeing that within the NHS is soul destroying.”

NHS text message
Image:
The NHS used a text message to tell Ken Pollock it couldn’t offer him Wegovy

Under guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) specialist weight-loss clinics in England and Wales should have started prescribing Wegovy in December last year.

The NHS cost-effectiveness authority said that people with a body mass index (BMI) over 35 and at least one related condition such as high blood pressure were eligible for treatment.

But Sky News asked Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), which commission local NHS services, whether they made the drug available through tier-3 weight-loss clinics in local hospitals.

By the end of April, only 14 of 42 ICBs had done so, and they imposed extra rules to restrict access – such as only offering it to patients in life-threatening situations, including those who need to lose weight ahead of cancer surgery or organ transplants.

Rob Andrews
Image:
Dr Robert Andrews of the University of Exeter said access to Wegovy was a ‘postcode lottery’

In all, just 838 patients in England had been treated by then – a little over 6% of the 13,500 that NICE expected to be on Wegovy.

Ken Pollock, who weighs 25 stone and is in severe pain from osteoarthritis, has been denied NHS treatment with the drug.

He’s been told he must lose five stone before surgeons will go ahead with a double knee replacement that would allow him to exercise. At the moment he struggles to even climb the stairs.

But the hospital weight-loss clinic told him by text that there was a two-year wait to be seen and it was “unable to offer medication”.

“It’s so shocking,” he said.

“I considered going private. But I thought ‘no, I’ve paid into the NHS all my life’. So I’m stuck in a kind of loop and I don’t know what’s next.”

Rob Andrews
Image:
Dr Robert Andrews (L) has run clinical trials of Wegovy

Studies show people lose on average 15% of their body weight within months of starting treatment with Wegovy. The drug mimics a natural hormone and people feel fuller faster and for longer.

Dr Jonathan Hazlehurst, an NHS obesity specialist in Birmingham, but speaking in a personal capacity, said the findings by Sky News confirm research that he and others have done on poor access to treatment.

“My concern is that there are so many people that could benefit, but increasingly the systems are not in place to provide this care,” he said.

“Those able to pay for treatment can access it, but many more are left untreated or on long waiting lists for overstretched services that are not resourced to meet patients’ needs.

Sally Hardwicke pays £160 per month to buy Wegovy privately
Image:
Sally Hardwicke pays £160 per month to buy Wegovy privately

“The availability of effective medications for obesity should be viewed as an opportunity to improve health but to realise this potential will require a significant funding investment.”

Obesity costs the NHS £6bn a year and is linked to 200 different diseases.

Half of all obese people with three related problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, will be dead within 10 years.

Read more:
People on weight loss drugs to get ‘beach body ready’ risk consequences’
Ozempic to Wegovy: benefits and downsides
Wegovy supply issues as private clinics stockpile

Sally Hardwicke decided to buy Wegovy privately after being turned down for NHS treatment, despite meeting the NICE criteria.

She has to ring around pharmacies to find a supply, which costs her roughly £160 a month. But she says the drug is well worth the money.

“I never used to feel full. I could eat a very big meal and still want more,” she said.

“Now my food is on much smaller plates and nine times out of 10 I don’t even finish what I’ve got.”

Sally said she had tried countless diets to try to lose weight, but the effect was short-lived.

“Even my boss said ‘why would you want to be putting that drug in your body?’ Because I’m desperate,” she said.

A spokesperson for NHS England said: “While specialist weight management services – which are required to prescribe this particular treatment – are commissioned based on local priorities, the NHS provides a wide range of support which is helping hundreds of thousands of people lose weight and live healthier lives.

“We are committed to working with the government, industry and experts to ensure that new treatments can be rolled out safely, effectively and affordably.”

Continue Reading

UK

Gatwick Airport evacuates ‘large part’ of South Terminal due to ‘security incident’

Published

on

By

Gatwick Airport evacuates 'large part' of South Terminal due to 'security incident'

A large part of Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal has been evacuated after a “suspected prohibited item” was discovered in luggage and a bomb disposal team has been deployed, police said.

Sussex Police said the explosive ordnance disposal team was being sent in “as a precaution” and a security cordon is in place.

The airport, which is the UK’s second busiest, said the terminal was evacuated after a “security incident”.

In a post on X, it said: “Safety and security of our passengers and staff remains our top priority.

“We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

It said the North Terminal was still operating normally.

Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of travellers heading away from the terminal building.

“Arrived at London Gatwick for routine connection. Got through customs to find out they’re evacuating the entire airport,” one passenger said.

“Even people through security are being taken outside. Trains shut down and 1,000s all over the streets and carparks waiting.”

Another said passengers near the gates were being told to stay there and not go back to the departure lounge.

Gatwick Express said its trains were not calling at Gatwick Airport.

“Gatwick Airport will not be served until further notice,” it tweeted.

“This is due to the police and emergency services dealing with an incident at the airport.

“At present, the station and airport are being evacuated whilst the police are dealing with an incident. We would recommend delaying your journey until later this morning.”

It said local buses were also affected and would be unable to run to the airport.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

UK

Legal action against MI5 over Manchester Arena bombing cannot continue, judges rule

Published

on

By

Legal action against MI5 over Manchester Arena bombing cannot continue, judges rule

Hundreds of people affected by the Manchester Arena bombing cannot continue legal action against MI5, judges have ruled.

More than 300 people, including survivors and those bereaved by the 2017 attack at an Ariana Grande concert, brought a case to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), claiming failures to take “appropriate measures” to prevent the incident infringed their human rights.

In a ruling on Friday, Lord Justice Singh and Mrs Justice Farbey said the cases could not proceed as they were brought too late.

Lord Justice Singh said: “We are particularly conscious of the importance of the rights concerned… We are also conscious of the horrendous impact of the atrocity on the claimants and their families.

“Any reasonable person would have sympathy for them.

“The grief and trauma which they have suffered, particularly where young children were killed, is almost unimaginable.

“Nevertheless, we have reached the conclusion that, in all the circumstances, it would not be equitable to permit the claims to proceed.”

More on Manchester

People stand next to flowers for the victims of the attack in 2017. Pic: AP
Image:
File pic: AP

Lord Justice Singh acknowledged that while the tribunal “readily understand” why the legal claims were not filed until after the final report from the inquiry into the attack, “real expedition” was needed at that point.

The judge added: “We bear in mind the other matters that had to be investigated and arrangements which had to be put in place but, in our view, the filing of the proceedings was not given the priority which, assessed objectively, it should have been.”

Had the claims gone ahead, the judge noted the security services would have needed to “divert time and resources to defending these proceedings rather than their core responsibilities” – which includes preventing future attacks.

Salman Abedi killed 22 people and injured hundreds when he detonated a rucksack bomb at the end of an Ariana Grande show at Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017.

Salman Abedi killed 22 innocent people
Image:
Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi

Hudgell Solicitors, Slater & Gordon and Broudie Jackson Canter, three of the law firms representing complainants affected, said the ruling was “extremely disappointing” for their clients.

In a statement, the firms said: “Ever since the attack in May 2017, our clients have had to endure continued delays but have done so with great patience and understanding in the hope that by allowing all legal processes to be fully explored, transparency and justice would be achieved.

“It took almost six years for the failings of MI5 to be revealed, confirmed when the inquiry chair published his volume three findings in March 2023, in which he said MI5 had missed a ‘significant opportunity’ to prevent the attack.

“This report concluded that within this six-year period, the security service corporate witnesses X and J gave evidence on oath that had presented an inaccurate picture, and the same inaccurate picture had been presented to Lord Anderson when he compiled his report in December 2017.”

Read more from Sky News:
‘Blood on their hands’: Could MI5 have prevented the Manchester attack?

Manchester attack survivors awarded £45k after suing man who claims it was a hoax
Police officers who went for kebab on night of terror attack given final warnings

The law firms said following these findings, their clients believed the IPT would “provide the route to the formal vindication of their human rights”.

The firms added: “We are disappointed that time is one of the reasons now being used against them to prevent their claims progressing. Seven years have now passed since the atrocity in May 2017 – six years of that seven-year delay was caused by MI5.

“This judgment certainly doesn’t exonerate MI5. There were failings by MI5 and multiple other parties leading up to and on the actual evening of 22 May 2017 and collectively we continue to support our clients in their fight for full accountability and justice.”

Police are seen with members of the public after the attack. Pic: PA
Image:
Police with members of the public after the attack. Pic: PA

The inquiry into the bombing found it might have been prevented if MI5 had acted on key intelligence received in the months before the attack.

The agency’s director-general, Ken McCallum, expressed deep regret that such intelligence was not obtained.

Two pieces of information about Abedi were assessed at the time by the security service to not relate to terrorism.

But inquiry chairman Sir John Saunders said, having heard from MI5 witnesses at the hearings, he considered that did not present an “accurate picture”.

Lawyers for those affected previously said the inquiry found there was a “real possibility” that one of the pieces of intelligence could have obtained information which may have led to actions preventing the attack.

And at the hearing earlier this month, Pete Weatherby KC, for those affected, described the IPT claims as “the next step” in vindication for his clients after the inquiry’s findings.

Continue Reading

UK

Britain faces frosty and icy conditions as Storm Bert looms

Published

on

By

Britain faces frosty and icy conditions as Storm Bert looms

Many areas of Britain faced frosty and icy conditions this morning ahead of the arrival of Storm Bert tomorrow.

The Met Office said it expects the storm to bring “heavy rain, strong winds and disruptive snow to parts of the UK through the weekend” and potentially cause travel disruption and flooding.

Much of the UK experienced temperatures close to freezing last night, the Met Office said, with -6C (21.2F) recorded at Tulloch Bridge in Scotland.

Check the forecast in your area

Snowy conditions in the village of Goathland, North York Moors National Park. Pic: PA
Image:
Snowy conditions in the village of Goathland, North York Moors National Park. Pic: PA

Several yellow warnings for snow and ice were in place across the UK until 10am on Friday, while one covering parts of Scotland will remain in place until midday.

They came ahead of an amber warning for heavy snow and ice in place between 7am and 5pm on Saturday in central parts of Scotland.

The Met Office said 10-20cm of snow was likely on ground above 200m and there could be as much as 20-40cm on hills above 400m.

Several other yellow alerts for wind, rain and snow will also cover much of the UK.

Read more from Sky News:
Six teenagers die after methanol poisonings in Laos
How bionic limbs are helping Ukrainian troops injured in war
Councillors refuse to take oath of allegiance to King

Met Office weather warnings

Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said: “Through into Friday… snow showers are set to continue mainly around coastal areas though once again still a few feeding inland at times.

“There will also still be plenty of autumnal sunshine. Still feeling cold though, particularly in those brisk winds – once again we’re only looking at highs of around 5C, slightly higher in the southwest around 7C.

“Across the north those temperatures struggling to move past 2-3C.

“As we head into Friday evening, a change is on its way as we introduce Storm Bert moving its way in from the Atlantic. So we’ll see clouds spilling in from the southwest with outbreaks of rain – heavy at times by the time we reach Saturday morning.”

A woman braves the snow in Aviemore, Scotland. Pic: Reuters
Image:
A woman braves the snow in Aviemore, Scotland. Pic: Reuters

“Heavy” outbreaks of rain are likely throughout Saturday, “falling as snow” at times across parts of England and Scotland, Ms Criswick said.

More than 114 schools were shut in the Highland Council area on Thursday because of snow, almost 40 were shut in Aberdeenshire and 12 were closed in Moray.

In England, 89 schools were shut in Devon, 60 in Cornwall and 18 in Dorset, while in Wales 18 were closed in Denbighshire, 10 in Conwy and two in Wrexham.

Continue Reading

Trending