Obesity Medicine Start-Up
2-Day Intensive Course
Everything you need to launch a safe, compliant, and profitable obesity medicine service — from clinical training and CQC/HIW registration to marketing, patient follow-up, and automation.
A bespoke in-house course delivered to your clinic team — not a public programme
This is a bespoke in-house course. It is delivered to the team of the clinic being trained — not Dr Davies' own staff, and not a public programme. A maximum of 4 delegates per cohort. If you would like to arrange this course for your clinic team, get in touch below.
Who is this course for?
This course is designed for registered clinicians — GPs, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals — who want to establish or grow an obesity medicine service, whether in NHS primary care, private practice, or a hybrid model.
You may already be prescribing GLP-1 agents but feel uncertain about the regulatory, governance, and business requirements. Or you may be starting from scratch and want a clear, structured pathway to launch within 90 days.
No prior obesity medicine experience is required. The clinical sessions bring all delegates to a safe prescribing standard, while the business and regulatory sessions give you the practical tools to operate compliantly from day one.
Six pillars of a successful obesity medicine service
The only course that combines clinical training with everything else you need to launch — regulation, governance, insurance, marketing, and automation.
Clinical Excellence
- Obesity pathophysiology & disease model
- Full assessment & risk stratification
- GLP-1 & dual agonist prescribing
- NICE guidelines & formulary compliance
- Consultation skills & motivational interviewing
- Patient monitoring & safety protocols
Regulation & Governance
- CQC registration (England)
- HIW registration (Wales)
- GDPR & clinical record-keeping
- Clinical governance framework
- CPD portfolio & appraisal evidence
- Significant event analysis & audit
Legal & Insurance
- Medical indemnity for private practice
- Employer & public liability insurance
- Prescribing liability for GLP-1 agents
- Consent documentation standards
- Medicolegal risk reduction
- Vicarious liability when employing staff
Business Setup
- Business models: NHS, private, hybrid
- Sole trader vs limited company
- Equipment checklist & capital planning
- Pricing strategy & fee structures
- Clinic location & room hire
- Financial planning & forecasting
Marketing & Growth
- ASA CAP code & GMC advertising rules
- MHRA rules on promoting POMs
- Website SEO for healthcare
- LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook strategy
- Educational blog & content planning
- Google Business Profile optimisation
Automation & Systems
- Practice management & booking software
- Electronic prescribing partnerships
- Automated follow-up sequences
- CRM & patient communication tools
- Outsourcing administration
- KPIs & business dashboards
Full course timetable
Two intensive days — every session designed to be immediately actionable.
Registration & Welcome
Introductions, housekeeping, learning objectives overview.
Obesity as a Disease: Clinical Foundations
Pathophysiology of obesity, adipose tissue biology, energy homeostasis, set-point theory, and the neuroendocrine drivers of weight regain. Why willpower is not the problem.
Break
Assessment & Risk Stratification
Comprehensive obesity assessment: BMI, waist circumference, Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS), metabolic risk profiling, comorbidity screening (T2DM, MASLD, OSA, PCOS, hypertension, cardiovascular risk). Investigations and referral thresholds.
Lunch
GLP-1 & Dual Agonist Pharmacotherapy
Mechanism of action of GLP-1 receptor agonists and GIP/GLP-1 dual agonists. Clinical trial data: SCALE, SURMOUNT, SELECT. Prescribing criteria, contraindications, dose titration, side-effect management, injection technique, and device demonstration. Semaglutide vs tirzepatide: clinical decision-making.
Break
NICE Guidelines, Formulary & Prescribing Governance
NICE TA875, TA1026, and emerging guidance. NHS England access criteria. Private prescribing obligations, off-label use, shared care, and formulary compliance. Prescribing documentation standards and medicolegal obligations.
Consultation Skills for Obesity Medicine
Motivational interviewing, weight-neutral language, managing patient expectations, dealing with weight stigma in the consultation, and shared decision-making frameworks. Role-play and case discussion.
Day 1 Q&A & Recap
Day 2 Welcome & Recap
Review of Day 1 key learning points. Questions from overnight reflection.
Setting Up Your Obesity Medicine Service
Business models: NHS, private clinic, hybrid. Sole trader vs limited company. Choosing a clinic location, room hire vs owned premises. Equipment checklist: calibrated scales, stadiometer, blood pressure, ECG, phlebotomy. Pricing strategy and fee structures. Initial capital requirements and financial planning.
Break
Regulation, Registration & Governance
CQC registration requirements for independent healthcare providers in England. HIW (Healthcare Inspectorate Wales) registration for Welsh providers. Regulated activities: treatment of disease, disorder or injury. Nominated individual and registered manager roles. Inspection readiness: policies, procedures, and evidence portfolios. GDPR, data protection, and clinical record-keeping obligations.
Lunch
Insurance, Indemnity & Legal Obligations
Medical indemnity for private practice: MDU, MPS, MDDUS — what is and is not covered. Employer liability, public liability, and professional indemnity insurance. Prescribing liability for GLP-1 agents. Vicarious liability when employing or contracting clinical staff. Consent documentation and medicolegal risk reduction.
CPD Accreditation & Clinical Governance
Maintaining your CPD portfolio for obesity medicine. RCGP, FSEM, and specialist society CPD frameworks. Clinical audit cycles, significant event analysis, and peer review. Appraisal evidence for private practice. Building a governance framework: clinical leads, supervision, escalation pathways.
Break
Patient Follow-Up, Safety & Monitoring Protocols
Structured follow-up pathways: initial review at 4 weeks, 12-week response assessment, ongoing monitoring. Bloods, blood pressure, weight trajectory, and side-effect review. Stopping rules and treatment discontinuation criteria. Escalation to bariatric surgery. Safeguarding considerations. Template monitoring proformas.
Marketing, Digital Presence & Social Media
Building a compliant online presence: ASA CAP code, GMC guidance on advertising, and MHRA rules on promoting prescription-only medicines. Website essentials, SEO for healthcare, and Google Business Profile. LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for clinician-led services. Content strategy: educational blogs, patient FAQs, and thought leadership. What you must never say — and what works.
Automation, Systems & Scaling
Practice management software: booking systems, CRM, and automated appointment reminders. Electronic prescribing and dispensing partnerships. Automated follow-up sequences: email, SMS, and patient portals. Outsourcing administration. Scaling from solo to multi-clinician service. Key performance indicators and business dashboards.
Final Q&A, Action Planning & Close
Personal action plan workshop. 90-day launch checklist. Peer networking. Certificate presentation.
By the end of this course you will be able to…
What's included in your resource pack
Every delegate leaves with a comprehensive resource pack — practical templates and tools you can implement immediately, not just slides.
per delegate · all inclusive
- 2 full days of expert-led training
- Comprehensive resource pack
- Lunch & refreshments both days
- CPD certificate (12 hours)
- Post-course email support (30 days)
- Access to delegate community
Bespoke in-house course · maximum 4 delegates
A note on regulation
Regulatory requirements for independent healthcare providers are complex and subject to change. The course content reflects current CQC and HIW requirements as of the course date. Delegates are advised to verify current requirements directly with the relevant regulator before registration. This course does not constitute legal advice.
Course director
Dr Alun Lloyd-Davies
GP & Obesity Medicine Specialist
Dr Lloyd-Davies is a practising GP and obesity medicine specialist with extensive experience in GLP-1 pharmacotherapy, weight management services, and clinical education. He founded ObesityCPD to raise the standard of obesity medicine training across primary care and has trained hundreds of clinicians across the UK. He brings first-hand experience of establishing and running a compliant private obesity medicine service.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this course designed for?
GPs, nurses, pharmacists, and other registered clinicians who want to establish or grow an obesity medicine service — whether NHS, private, or hybrid. No prior obesity medicine experience is required.
Is the course CPD accredited?
Yes. The course carries 12 CPD hours and delegates receive a CPD certificate on completion. The content is mapped to RCGP and relevant specialist society CPD frameworks.
Does the course cover both England and Wales?
Yes. Regulatory sessions cover both CQC (England) and HIW (Healthcare Inspectorate Wales) registration requirements in full.
What is included in the £3,995 fee?
Two full days of expert-led training, all course materials, a comprehensive resource pack (policy templates, monitoring proformas, 90-day launch checklist), lunch and refreshments on both days, and a CPD certificate.
Will I receive template policies and documents?
Yes. Delegates receive a resource pack including template clinical governance policies, consent forms, monitoring proformas, a CQC/HIW readiness checklist, and a 90-day launch action plan.
How many delegates are on this course?
This is a bespoke in-house course with a maximum of 4 delegates, delivered to the team of the clinic being trained. It is not a public programme and there are no scheduled open cohorts.
Can I claim this as a business expense?
In most cases, yes — professional development costs are allowable business expenses. We recommend confirming with your accountant.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancellations more than 28 days before the course date receive a full refund. Cancellations within 28 days will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please see our Terms of Use for full details.
Arrange this course for your clinic team
This is a bespoke in-house course delivered to the team of the clinic being trained. It is not a public programme — there are no scheduled open cohorts. To arrange it for your clinic, get in touch below.
Maximum 4 delegates per cohort · delivered at your clinic or a venue of your choice
Express Your Interest — £3,995Questions? Contact us before booking.