Obesity is a chronic, complex disease associated with morbidity, premature mortality, and rising demand on health services. Almost one in three adults are living with obesity in England and prevalence is predicted to continue rising, including among younger populations. 

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is one of the most effective and cost-effective treatments for severe obesity, but access to bariatric surgery in England is limited; around 30,000 people had bariatric surgery between 2017 and 2023, while the number of people who could clinically benefit is estimated at around one million. 

GIRFT’s workstream will provide a consistent national framework to support systems to reduce unwarranted variation, improve access and equity, and strengthen the delivery of bariatric and metabolic services across England – in turn helping to ease pressure on elective, urgent, and emergency care. 

This workstream complements and builds on existing GIRFT programmes, including general surgery and endocrinology, while providing the depth of focus required to address the complexity of obesity pathways and bariatric service delivery.