New virtual care program helps people with severe obesity live well
Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) is building the ‘Living Well Virtual Care’ program, a new digitally‑enabled clinical pathway designed to improve access to evidence‑based severe obesity management in Western Sydney.
The Living Well program will be a 12–18 month virtual program inspired by the successful and internationally recognised Nepean Blue Mountains Family Metabolic Health Service (FMHS) adult model of care.
The program supports adults living with severe obesity through a holistic, evidence-based multidisciplinary approach that addresses a patient’s physical and mental health and social factors that influence long‑term wellbeing.
“Living Well will allow us to extend the reach of the Family Metabolic Health Service to people who are waiting long periods of time to see us, or who may otherwise never engage with us,” explains Dr Kathryn Williams, Clinical Lead of the Family Metabolic Health Service and Principal Investigator of the Living Well program.
The Living Well program is suited to people who face barriers attending hospital‑based services, including those who live long distances from clinics, have physical disabilities or experience severe anxiety.
Across NSW demand for public obesity services continues to grow and without timely intervention, health and quality of life can deteriorate, increasing the risk of chronic disease, disability and future hospitalisations.
Living Well provides an affordable, scalable response to this challenge.
By offering earlier, virtual access to coordinated care, Living Well aims to support better health optimisation and ease pressure on emergency departments and inpatient services, outcomes that are already being delivered through the in-person Family Metabolic Health Service model of care.
“Severe obesity is a complex, chronic condition and it requires sustained, coordinated care,” continues Kathryn.
“Living Well will put the right support in place earlier, improving health outcomes for patients while also delivering better value for the health system.”
The Living Well Virtual Care program offers:
- on‑demand educational content
- live webinars and group interventions
- Practical resources to support participants to engage their GP in medical weight management and the management of obesity‑related complications.
- links to trusted external online resources relevant to severe obesity
- Opportunities for peer connection and support.
While engaging with online content, participants receive one‑on‑one health coaching.
Living Well has been designed to be scalable across NSW, including in regional and rural communities, and is supported by the Agency for Clinical Innovation.
“This program will demonstrate how digital care can be used as an extension of high‑quality clinical services,” says Kathryn.
“For many patients it will mean timely access to care, greater confidence in managing their health, and a more positive experience as they journey through the health system.”
The Living Well Virtual Care Program is funded through NSW Health’s Translational Research Grants Scheme. It is one of three NBMLHD high-impact research projects that has the potential to be translated into policy and practice and build research capability within NSW Health.