A-Z of Services

Tier 3 Weight Management Service

  • Address: Woodcroft Wing,  Green Zone,  Ground Floor,  Croydon University Hospital,  530 London Rd,  Thornton Heath, CR7 7YE
  • Reception hours: 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday

About us

Welcome to the Tier 3 Specialist Weight Management Service in Croydon. We aim to provide an equitable, non-judgemental service to Croydon residents living with obesity. We offer a personalised service of group and individual sessions with specialists from dietetics, clinical psychology and physiotherapy.

We see people who:

  • Are aged 18 or over
  • Are registered with a GP in Croydon
  • Have a BMI ≥40
  • Have a BMI ≥35 with two or more co-morbidities (≥32.5 for people from ethnic minority background)
  • Are ready and committed to making changes

Our service is not suitable for everyone. We have the following exclusion criteria:

  • Pregnancy
  • Uncontrolled cardiac conditions including poorly controlled blood pressure
  • Active/unstable or severe mental illness including active eating disorders such as binge eating disorder
  • Active substance misuse
  • Within two years following bariatric surgery
  • Moderate to severe learning disability - Please be aware that all patients with learning disability should be referred to the Learning Disability service in the first instance, who will refer on patients to our service when applicable.

We work with people towards making sustainable lifestyle changes that work in the long term. We understand that weight loss can be confusing and complicated and use the latest research to inform our work and the way we support you. We also help people to manage their weight more sustainably, which may also improve physical health and mental health. We work closely with specialist services across the borough to signpost you to the right support for you.

Our Programme

We offer a two-year pathway which begins with a 12-week group programme. The 12-week group involves weekly education sessions with input from our dietitians, clinical psychologist and physiotherapist. The programme encourages you to make steady and realistic changes to your diet and lifestyle to support healthy weight management and promote a healthy lifestyle.

The group programme is run both face to face and online, and you can choose which format you would prefer.

Following the initial group programme, there is a maintenance phase for the next six months, which includes check-ins and educational sessions from all members of the specialist team. We will then check in with you over the next 12 months to continue to support you in your goals.

Contact us

Please check your appointment letter carefully as we offer appointments at various location across the borough.

Department number: 

General enquires: ch-tr.croydont3@nhs.net

Open 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.

Cancelling or rearranging your appointment

If you wish to cancel or re-schedule your appointment, please email the department ch-tr.croydont3@nhs.net . You may be required to leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

If you have to cancel your appointment, we kindly ask that you provide us with 24 hours’ notice. If you do not attend an appointment without cancelling or contacting the department, we may discharge your referral and you will need to seek a new referral from your GP.

How to refer

We only accept referrals from a GP registered in Croydon. We only accept referrals from a GP registered in Croydon. Please discuss your eligibility with your GP.

Management Team

Staff List

Dr Nicky Saini – Service and Operational Lead

Dr Alexandria Phillips – Clinical Psychologist

Helen Dady – Lead Highly Specialist Weight Management Dietitian

Dora Mezey – Community Dietitian

Junior Oby Obi - Physiotherapist

Magda Ziarko – Therapy Practitioner

Helpful resources

We have created a list of resources that you can access below to support you with your weight management journey. 

Diet Resources  

 

Psychology Resources  

You can access a self-help guide on healthy eating, psychological influences on eating, mindful eating, increasing physical activity levels and improving body image here.

Books

  • The Weight Escape by J. Ciarrochi, A. Bailey and R. Harris  

  • The Intuitive Eating Workbook by E. Tribole and E. Resch  

  • Mindfulness: Finding Peace in a Frantic World by M. Williams  

  • Mindful Eating by J. Chozen Bays  

  • Just Eat It by Laura Thomas  

  • Body Positive Power by Megan Crabbe 

If you think you might have disordered eating behaviours including binge eating you can find information and support on the BEAT website.  

Please discuss with your GP if you think you would benefit from specialised eating disorder support or if you are experiencing difficulties with mood. You can access Croydon Talking Therapies via your GP or you can self-refer through their website. 

 

Physical Activity Resources 

 

Other Relevant Services 

If you do not meet the criteria for the Tier 3 service, there are a range of weight management, lifestyle change and self-management services available to Croydon Residents including:  

  • Live Well Croydon (BMI 30 to 40 / BMI 27.5 to 40 for BAME populations / BMI 27.5 to 35 with one or more LTCs).
  • NHS Digital weight management programme (diagnosis of diabetes and/or hypertension and BMI >=30 / >=27.5 for BAME).
  • Type 2 Path to Remission (low calorie diet) Programme (Type 2 diabetes diagnosis within last 5 years, aged 65 and under).
  • Expert Patient Programme (EPP) is FREE self-management programme for anyone living with diabetes or high blood pressure in Croydon. The EPP provides FREE support for people living with long-term conditions by increasing their self-care knowledge, skills, confidence and motivation. 
  • St George’s Medical Obesity and Bariatric Services (Tier 4 surgery and medical interventions).