Customer stories
Strategic commissioning for weight loss services projected to save £2.15M and prevent 1,500 surgeries
Related Content
Obesity is a major health issue across England, affecting nearly two-thirds of adults. In Lincolnshire, the problem is even more severe, with almost 68% of adults affected. This puts extra pressure on local health services and worsens health inequalities. Essential lifestyle support is available, however despite the need, Lincolnshire currently lacks a local weight management service for people with severe obesity and complex health needs — leaving patients to travel long distances and face long waits for specialist support.
Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) began by exploring an intensive, community‑based weight management service that would bring personalised support closer to home. The proposed model brought together neighbourhood teams including primary care, dietitians, psychologists and appropriate pharmacotherapy. The goal was to deliver tailored, place‑based interventions that reflected local population needs.
However, like many systems, Lincolnshire ICB faces the challenge of balancing growing demand with limited funding. Each year, they receive far more proposals for new or expanded services than the available budget can support. Traditional business case submissions often lack the insight needed to confidently compare different options. This makes it harder to understand population need, forecast outcomes and make fair, transparent decisions about which services to prioritise.
To break through this challenge, the ICB turned to a more modern, evidence‑driven approach supported by our Weighted Value Framework.
What is the Weighted Value Framework?
The Weighted Value Framework developed in partnership with Optum, is a tool used to assess how health services, both existing and new, contribute to better outcomes for the population. It looks at key priorities like improving health equity, patient experience and reducing unnecessary demand. The framework uses a scoring system based on 40 detailed measures found in the linked data model to calculate the overall value of a service.
Building a data-driven case for change
Using the Weighted Value Framework informed by PHM Pathfinder Analytics with costed data gave the ICB robust evidence to support decision-making. Together, these tools helped assess proposals objectively, quantify expected impact and guide prioritisation. The framework quantified the expected improvements in clinical outcomes, patient experience, equity and system efficiency. Pathfinder then added population level insight and predictive modelling to test the impact of different scenarios.
Evidence based commissioning
Armed with linked data across primary and secondary care providers, they entered the strategic commissioning process with a clear, evidence‑backed case for investment. The analysis showed that the proposed weight management service aligned with system priorities, delivered strong value for money and offered a sustainable long‑term approach to tackling obesity.
This approach enabled the ICB to clearly articulate both the benefits and the risks. It demonstrated how the service could improve health outcomes, ease pressure on hospitals, and support national health priorities, while highlighting the consequences of inaction — loss of service provision, increased demand on acute services, and widening health inequalities.
The Weighted Value Framework has been valuable on several fronts. It provides an objective methodology for assessing proposals for new investments and evaluating existing services.”
He added, “It’s been a game-changer for us. It gives a fair, flexible, and consistent way to assess services, helps us prioritise based on real outcomes, and makes sure our decisions are transparent and aligned with our strategic goals.”
The approach is projected to deliver £2.15M in savings and prevent 1,500 surgeries annually.
Projected to deliver £2.15M in savings
Projected to prevent 1,500 surgeries annually
Turning analytics into action
With a clear, data‑backed case for investment, the proposal successfully secured approval by the clinical and commissioning boards for investment. This now allows the ICB to move from planning to delivery and begin implementing the new community‑based intervention. The service includes:
- Multidisciplinary assessments led by neighbourhood teams to provide holistic care.
- Tailored care plans combining behavioural support, nutritional guidance, psychological input and pharmacotherapy.
- Ongoing monitoring and clear escalation pathways to specialist services when needed.
- Community‑based delivery hubs to reduce travel barriers and make support more accessible.
Pathfinder continues to play a key role as the service is rolled out. It provides ongoing insight to evaluate outcomes, tracks impact over time and ensures the intervention delivers expected benefits. If, however, expected benefits are not demonstrated, the analytical insight provided from Pathfinder will support course correction.
Embedding value for long-term impact
Doherty explains how Lincolnshire ICB is future-proofing its approach:
Going forward, all proposals for new investments will be assessed through the Weighted Value Framework. It will also guide decisions on whether services should continue, be amended, or be disinvested.”
By integrating Weighted Value Framework into its population health management methodology, Lincolnshire ICB is building a health system that’s transparent, accountable, and focused on real outcomes — ensuring decisions deliver maximum value and meet the needs of local communities now and in the future.
Supporting the Innovate UK Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme
Book a discovery session with us to explore how Optum can support your obesity pathhway innovation project — from infrastructure and data to delivery and evaluation.
Find out more