Diabetes Obesity
Thu 11 Dec 2025 09:00-17:00
The Royal National, London, 5 CPD hours

With growing pressure to manage obesity and prescribe weight-loss medication, take this opportunity to enhance your skills and build your confidence

This educational conference will provide an introductory guide to managing obesity. By focusing on the practicalities of conducting first consultations, offering lifestyle advice, prescribing and supporting patients on GLP-1s and making surgical referrals, you will leave with a significantly improved understanding of obesity management pathways. Whether you are a GP, practice nurse, resident doctor or work within diabetes care, this conference has something valuable to offer everyone!

Click here to view the full range of obesity courses currently available

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Foundations of Obesity Management: From First Consultations to Long-Term Support
Face-to-face 5 CPD hours £99 + VAT

5 hours Continuing Professional Development and networking: what you will learn

This dedicated training day will equip you with the basic tools you need to support your patients living with obesity. Each presentation will be tailored to impart practical, implementable guidance and top tips. All attendees will be given a short, printed guide, created by your speakers, equipping you with a handy ongoing reference for each topic covered:

  • Preparing for a consultation: engaging, understanding and motivating your patient 
  • Lifestyle and exercise interventions: what works and how it can help in practice 
  • Choosing weight-neutral drugs: key considerations, reviews and switching strategies
  • Prescribing GLP-1s: patient selection, eligibility and lifestyle education 
  • Long-term GLP-1 use: ensuring tolerance and navigating adverse effects 
  • Bariatric surgery referral: understanding the pathway, criteria and support requirements 
  • Long-term post-surgical support: physical and psychological implications and re-referral criteria 
  • Integrated obesity pathways: long-term role of primary care, MDT strategies and streamlining services

Why should you attend?

This interactive and engaging forum will arm you with the increased knowledge and practical skills to confidently support and manage patients on the obesity pathway. Benefit from: 

  • Building networks: gain access to obesity and primary care professionals, as well as thought leaders to build a community of peers for support, advice and guidance
  • Professional learning: discover clinical updates, evidenced learnings and real-world examples
  • Facilitated discussion: ask your burning questions, bring your case-based questions and discuss the solutions to your challenges

Invitation to sponsor

SBK Healthcare National Conferences are designed to enable obesity management providers to support healthcare professionals. If you would like to sponsor this forum, please email Vanessa Pearce or call Vanessa on 01732 897788 to find out about all the engagement and branding opportunities available in the full sponsorship package.

9:00
Registration and networking
9:30
Chair’s opening remarks and introductions
Identifying and engaging patients
9:40
Beyond the BMI: Preparing to identify and build a picture of obesity history
  • Key facts and statistics of obesity: what you need to know
  • Preparing from a consultation: exploring weight history, comorbidities, psychosocial factors and readiness for change
  • Considerations for primary care consultations: what is different?
Professor Rob Andrews, Associate Professor, University of Exeter and Honorary Consultant Physician, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
10:00
Lived experience: The reality of living with obesity
  • Hear first-hand what it is really like living with and being treated for obesity within the NHS
Mary Perkins, Speaker with lived experience
10:20
Questions and answers with your speakers
10:30
Supporting behaviour change in a busy clinic: brief interventions with a big impact
  • Exploring the goal of weight related conversations: what do you need to achieve?
  • How to initiate non-judgemental, effective conversations: building rapport and engagement
  • Implementable, basic tools that patients can engage with to enable a change
Dr Katie Hesketh, Assistant Professor in Exercise Prescription, University of Birmingham
11:10
Questions and answers with your speakers
11:15
Sponsored presentation opportunity
If you are an Obesity Management provider and would like to be part of this day, and present to this audience, please contact vanessa.pearce@sbk-healthcare.co.uk for further information.
11:25
Questions and answers with your industry partner speaker
11:30
Networking break
Medical management of obesity
11:50
How to minimise weight-gain by choosing weight neutral drugs
  • Understanding which drugs can cause weight-gain and how to review
  • Which drugs can you switch to or introduce to minimise drug related weight gain?
  • Case studies: explore the real-world impact weight neutral drugs can have on overall weight management
12:15
Questions and answers with your speaker
12:20
Effective selection and use of GLP-1s: Obesity management for people with and without diabetes
  • Choosing the right patients for GLP-1 therapy: who, when and how?
  • Understanding the guidance: patient selection and eligibility criteria
  • How to combine GLP-1 use with lifestyle support for those with and without diabetes
Professor Thomas Barber, Professor of Endocrinology and Consultant Endocrinologist, University of Warwick and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
12:45
Questions and answers with your speaker
12:50
Interactive discussion: Selecting patients for GLP-1s and supporting the use
  • How do you currently identify suitable patients? And how are you working to improve or streamline your process?
  • How do you address tolerability? What do you do to set realistic expectations for use of GLP-1s?
  • How do you tackle long-term obesity and diabetes management? How do you monitor the outcomes from GLP-1s?
1:15
Networking lunch
2:15
Managing GLP-1 side effects and practical steps for navigating their long-term use
  • Determining expectations and duration of therapy
  • How to manage tolerability and side effects: effective safety monitoring
  • Case studies: practical tips to improve the way you support and manage patients on GLP-1s
Irena Cruickshank, Weight Management Nurse Specialist, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
2:40
Questions and answers with your speaker
Surgical pathways and aftercare
2:45
Referring patients for bariatric surgery: what GPs and nurses need to know
  • Understanding the NHS pathways for surgery
  • Exploring the referral criteria and case study insights into the practical application of this
  • How to prepare patients for a surgical assessment
Mr Dimitri Pournaras, Upper Gastrointestinal, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon, North Bristol Centre for Weight Loss, Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, North Bristol NHS Trust
3:10
Supporting the long-term follow up of bariatric surgery
  • Managing nutritional deficiencies, recurrent weight gain post-surgery and lifelong complications
  • How to provide effective psychological support
  • Understanding common post-surgery symptoms and navigating which concerns you would refer back
3:35
Questions and answers with your speaker
3:45
Networking break
4:05
Interactive discussion: Getting patients ready for bariatric surgery and supporting them long term
  • What is your current referral process? How does it support your patients and what could you do to make it a smoother?
  • How do you identify and manage post-surgical complications or common challenges?
  • How do you know when it’s the right time to refer your patients back to specialist care? Do you have experience of this?
The national picture
4:30
From assessment to aftercare: building an integrated obesity pathway
  • Understanding the role of primary care in the obesity pathway
  • Strategies for MDT collaboration and streamlining local services
  • From plan to action: achieving the 10-year plan for obesity
4:55
Questions and answers with your speakers
5:00
Chair’s closing remarks and close of day

Novo Nordisk has provided sponsorship to SBK to cover the cost of stand space for this meeting. Novo Nordisk has had no influence over the meeting agenda or arrangements.

Confirmed speakers to-date:

Professor Rob Andrews
Job Title:
Associate Professor of Diabetes and Endocrinology
Organisation
University of Exeter Medical School
Biography

Rob Andrews is an associate Professor at the University of Exeter, an Honorary Consultant Physician at Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton.

At the University he leads a group that researches the role that exercise, and diet can play in the prevention and management of diabetes and obesity.

In Taunton, he leads the diabetes and obesity Research team. Until last year he was the medical lead for a large multidisciplinary weight management service. This is a holistic service offering specialised dietary and exercise programs, drug therapy and bariatric surgery as well as running clinics for people with eating disorders and complications post surgery. In recognition of this service, Taunton is designated an International Centre of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery.
Mary Perkins
Job Title:
Speaker with lived experience
Organisation
Biography
Dr Katie Hesketh
Job Title:
Assistant Professor in Exercise Prescription
Organisation
University of Birmingham
Biography

Dr Katie Hesketh is an Assistant Professor in Exercise Prescription at the University of Birmingham. Her research examines how physical activity interventions can be used as an effective non-pharmacological strategy in disease management. She has a particular interest in applying behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to support sustainable lifestyle change in people living with, or at risk of, obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Katie’s current work explores how mobile health technologies can be used to enhance exercise adherence and long-term behaviour change across a range of clinical populations.
Professor Thomas Barber
Job Title:
Professor of Endocrinology and Consultant Endocrinologist
Organisation
University of Warwick and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Biography
Irena Cruickshank
Job Title:
Weight Management Nurse Specialist and Independent Prescriber
Organisation
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Biography

Irena is WM Nurse Specialist and Independent Prescriber at Musgrove Park Hospital, Somerset NHS FT. She initiates and follows up patients on injectable weight loss medications and has established clinics for genetic testing for Obesity.

Irena is involved in research projects to improve service delivery, using real world data from clinical practice.

She sat on NICE MTAC as a specialist committee member for early value assessment: digital technologies for providing specialist weight-management service. She is a member of the National Obesity Database Steering Group.

Irena has extensive nursing career in variety of acute clinical settings. She has made successful contribution to clinical research leading on COVID and diabetes trials and was a lead research nurse on STEP 1 trial, which aimed to assess the effect and safety of Semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly in subjects with overweight or obesity. Despite being the smallest site in UK, their team had one of the best retention rates in the country and Irena was asked to share their success on international level. 

Irena recently wrote and had published by NICE, an inspiring case-study. It focusses on Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which pioneered the use of liraglutide in early 2021 and provides an overview of how injectable anti-obesity medications are being integrated into specialist weight management services, particularly for individuals with complex needs. The case study underscores the importance of tailored care, adequate staffing, and the integration of genetic insights in managing obesity, especially among individuals with complex needs and can be read in detail here > > https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng246/resources/injectable-antiobesity-medications-in-specialist-weight-management-services-supporting-people-with-complex-needs-15305080861/chapter/Overview
Mr Dimitri Pournaras
Job Title:
Upper Gastrointestinal, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon
Organisation
North Bristol NHS Trust
Biography

Dimitri Pournaras graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece and undertook all his postgraduate training in the UK. He was awarded Research Fellowship by the Royal College of Surgeons of England to conduct research on obesity, diabetes and metabolic surgery.  He completed his PhD in the Department of Investigative Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College London and then trained in all aspects of laparoscopic oesophagogastric surgery in Cambridge and Norwich. Following a Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Fellowship approved by the Royal College of Surgeons, he was appointed as a Consultant in Bristol where he works as part of a multidisciplinary team.  He is on the editorial board of journals Obesity Surgery and Clinical Obesity and has authored more than 50 peer reviewed publications, including articles in the Lancet, the Annals of Surgery, the British Journal of Surgery and the British Medical Journal. He delivers more than 10 invited international lectures every year.

This agenda has been developed with the expertise of renowned leaders in the field, Prof Rob Andrews and Irena Cruikshank. This Obesity Management Advisory Board has created a groundbreaking event that offers cutting-edge insights and the latest clinical approaches to obesity management.

Professor Rob Andrews
Job Title:
Associate Professor of Diabetes and Endocrinology
Organisation
University of Exeter Medical School
Biography

Rob Andrews is an associate Professor at the University of Exeter, an Honorary Consultant Physician at Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton.

At the University he leads a group that researches the role that exercise, and diet can play in the prevention and management of diabetes and obesity.

In Taunton, he leads the diabetes and obesity Research team. Until last year he was the medical lead for a large multidisciplinary weight management service. This is a holistic service offering specialised dietary and exercise programs, drug therapy and bariatric surgery as well as running clinics for people with eating disorders and complications post surgery. In recognition of this service, Taunton is designated an International Centre of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery.
Irena Cruickshank
Job Title:
Weight Management Nurse Specialist and Independent Prescriber
Organisation
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Biography

Irena is WM Nurse Specialist and Independent Prescriber at Musgrove Park Hospital, Somerset NHS FT. She initiates and follows up patients on injectable weight loss medications and has established clinics for genetic testing for Obesity.

Irena is involved in research projects to improve service delivery, using real world data from clinical practice.

She sat on NICE MTAC as a specialist committee member for early value assessment: digital technologies for providing specialist weight-management service. She is a member of the National Obesity Database Steering Group.

Irena has extensive nursing career in variety of acute clinical settings. She has made successful contribution to clinical research leading on COVID and diabetes trials and was a lead research nurse on STEP 1 trial, which aimed to assess the effect and safety of Semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly in subjects with overweight or obesity. Despite being the smallest site in UK, their team had one of the best retention rates in the country and Irena was asked to share their success on international level. 

Irena recently wrote and had published by NICE, an inspiring case-study. It focusses on Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, which pioneered the use of liraglutide in early 2021 and provides an overview of how injectable anti-obesity medications are being integrated into specialist weight management services, particularly for individuals with complex needs. The case study underscores the importance of tailored care, adequate staffing, and the integration of genetic insights in managing obesity, especially among individuals with complex needs and can be read in detail here > > https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng246/resources/injectable-antiobesity-medications-in-specialist-weight-management-services-supporting-people-with-complex-needs-15305080861/chapter/Overview

Pricing structure

  • £99+VAT - one NHS, Public Sector or Charity place

All attendees will be given a short, printed guide, created by your speakers, equipping you with a handy ongoing reference for each topic covered.


SBK Healthcare is charging an attendance fee of £99+VAT to ensure attendance. If you are in a situation where you do not have the funding, but would like to attend, please do contact Sophie Richardson on 01732 897788.


Commercial companies are invited to sponsor this day please email Vanessa Pearce for further details.

Venue details & travel

Venue name: The Royal National Hotel, Bloomsbury
Address:  38-51 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0DG
Tel: 020 7637 2488

Email: info@imperialhotels.co.uk

Directions: Click here to plan your journey using Google Maps


Underground

Russell Square station on the Piccadilly Line is a 1 minute walk from our hotels,  providing connection to Heathrow Airport, Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Green Park within moments.


Train

King's Cross, Euston and St. Pancras International train stations are a short walk from the hotels, within 10 - 15 minutes.


Bus

Classic red London Buses pass by our hotels, along Southampton Row, providing  further connections to all over the city.


Car

There is underground parking at Royal National, President and Bedford Hotels. Please note this is paid parking, approx. £22-24 depending on length of stay.

Please be aware that the hotel is situated within the London Congestion Zone and the Ultra-Low Emission Zone, which require additional charges to be applied. Visit the relevant government sites to see if your vehicle is applicable/ to make payment directly.


Taxi

Our city is home to the signature black cab and our friendly porters are happy to assist with booking taxis for our guests. Airport transfers are also available, please book through the porters (payable locally).


Parking: Underground parking located directly beneath

Car Park Tariff - for Royal National and Bedford Hotel Car Parks

2 Hours - £8

3 Hours - £12

4 Hours - £14

6 Hours - £17

10 Hours - £19

12 Hours - £21

24 Hours - £24

Reservations

If your funding has not yet been secured or you would like to hold your place with no obligation, you can reserve your place with us. Please email the reservations team at SBK Healthcare with your details:

  • Booking contact: name, job title, department, email and telephone number
  • Event(s) to reserve for: title and date
  • Delegate details (for each delegate): name, job title, department, email and telephone number
  • Organisation details: name and address

Alternatively you can make a confirmed booking by emailing the above information to the bookings team 

Terms and conditions

Certification of attendance

A certificate for Continuing Professional Development will be given to every fully registered participant who completes the course, as a record of your continuing professional training and development.

Registration fees

You will be sent an instant payment option or invoice on registration. Your payment is required in advance. If your fee has not been received prior to the event, and you are not able to provide a PO or proof of payment, you will be asked to make a credit or debit card payment on the day.

Modify registration

To let us know if your details are not correct when you have already registered, please email the bookings team.

Cancellations and substitutions

A full refund of fees will be made only for cancellations received within the first 48 hours of the booking being made. Notice of cancellation must be received in writing by emailing the bookings team at SBK Healthcare. Should you need to cancel your registration after this date, the registration fee remains payable in its entirety although a substitution will be accepted and conference documentation will be provided. Substitution attendees for delegates unable to attend after registering are acceptable at any time.

Event changes

It may be necessary for reasons beyond the control of the conference organisers to alter the content, speakers or the timing of the programme. We will endeavour to keep you abreast of such changes but any unavoidable change to the format will not constitute a reason to refund the fee. Should the event be postponed, we will endeavour to reschedule the event. If, for reasons beyond the control of the conference organiser, the event is cancelled, a full refund will be made. We do not accept any liability for any incurred costs resulting from a postponement or cancellation.

Privacy notice

To view the details on how your data is being collected and used, please view our Privacy policy

Expected attendees

This introductory level conference follows our hugely successful Obesity National Networking Forums which ran in November 2024 and June 2025. Now it’s your turn to benefit! Designed especially for those who are new to obesity management, we expect attendance from: 

  • GPs, Practice Nurses and Advanced Nurse Practitioners 
  • Community Nurses and Dietitians 
  • Resident Doctors 
  • Diabetes Consultants, Registrars, Nurses and Dietitians 
  • Pharmacists

Past attendee feedback

Take a look at how the attendees described Obesity Management National Networking Forum in November 2024 and June 2025:

“It has been better than other events I attended in the last twelve months”

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, June 2025

“Learnt a lot. High quality talks, made connections with relevant professionals and sponsors”

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, June 2025

“Excellent experience. Good to learn from others’ experience and also get updates”

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, June 2025

“Very well done – I am impressed with the organisers – well organised and informative”

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, June 2025

“Very informative with wonderful insights. Will attend again. Excellent networking”

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, June 2025

“Would highly recommend. Well organised and good venue”

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, November 2024

“A great day with lots of variety. Enhanced my knowledge”

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, November 2024

“Engaging content throughout the day. Excellent knowledge and experience demonstrated by all presenters”

Bariatric Group, November 2024

“Excellent day out, easy access venue, content very useful to inspire changes in my speciality”

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, November 2024

“Very informative day which looked at and considered the wider holistic picture of patients living with obesity. Inspiring to be around many like-minded individuals to tackle obesity stigma”

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, November 2024

“Great to hear about the thoughts of attendees across the board and share ways of addressing obesity”

Futuremeds Newcastle, November 2024

“Really valuable day – excellent speakers and agenda – good spread of topics and good pace”

Guy's Hospital, St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, November 2024

View further comments on SBK Healthcare events on Trust Pilot.

Why sponsor?

Our role at SBK Healthcare is to bring industry together with healthcare professionals so that you can educate and inform your audience. These trail-blazing forums offer dedicated presentation, Q&A, networking and discussion time, each sponsor will be full immersed into the event and able to effectively engage with your NHS audience.

"Very helpful model for sponsor sessions"

Diabetes Developments in Scotland National Networking Forum, October 2024

"Good updates from industry partners, especially with the ongoing changes in technology"

Diabetes Developments in Scotland National Networking Forum, October 2024

"Enjoyed the 10 minute bite-sized updates"

Diabetes Developments in Scotland National Networking Forum, October 2024

"Good sessions – focused and useful updates. Opportunity to answer specific questions"

Diabetes Developments in Scotland National Networking Forum, October 2024

"Structured time with sponsors worked well"

Diabetes Developments in Scotland National Networking Forum, October 2024

"Very worthwhile"

Diabetes Developments in Scotland National Networking Forum, October 2024

Interested in having your own event, managed by us?

SBK Healthcare also provides in-house forums. Working closely with you as the client we can research, produce, market and deliver the conference or online forum that best suits the audience and meets your goals.

Reach out today

If you would like more information on our sponsorship options an in-house forum or if you wish to discuss your needs and what solutions may be appropriate for your business, please contact: 

Vanessa Pearce
Contact: 01732 897788
Email: Vanessa.Pearce@sbk-healthcare.co.uk