
BBC
Ray, 62 from south London, became one of the first patients to receive the weight-loss jab Wegovy on the NHS last year and has lost 14kg (just over two stone) in five months.
BBC Panorama joined him as he was prescribed his first dose at London’s Guy’s Hospital, where he was told he would probably need to take the drug all his life to prevent him regaining weight. He said he felt “blessed” to be given the drug.
But the NHS spending watchdog NICE has ruled that each patient can only receive Wegovy for two years. And only a tiny proportion of the eligible 3.4 million patients in England are getting access to the drugs.
Prof Naveed Sattar, who leads the UK government’s Obesity Healthcare Goals programme, says if everyone eligible was given the drug right away “it would simply bankrupt the NHS”.

They include care home worker Ray, who weighed 148kg or 23 stone when he began taking Wegovy in July 2024. He has struggled with his weight all his life.
Ray needs two operations, but doctors have said he needs to lose weight first.
With so many patients meeting the criteria, the hospital is prioritising those like Ray who need surgery or who have multiple weight-related health complications.
Here, not only is Ray given the drug, which is taken via weekly injection under the skin, but he gets face-to-face support from doctors and dietitians – advice not always given to those buying the drug privately online.
They stress the jabs do not do all the work and it is important that patients change their lifestyle, and eat healthier food and smaller portions.
Ray is joined at the appointment by one of his daughters, Sophie, who says it would be “amazing” if he could reach his goal of losing three stone: “I wouldn’t recognise him. It would be like I have a brand new dad.”
For now, the drug is available on the NHS in England via these specialist services, mostly in hospitals.
But the chances of getting the drug are low.

Ray is doing well on the drug, eating smaller portions, and after five months there is a visible difference.
At his appointment at Guy’s just before Christmas, he weighs 134kg, a weight loss of 14kg or just over two stone.
He is delighted. “I can’t believe the amount of weight I’ve lost. Every time my daughters see me they say I’m shrinking. It’s been a really good journey.”
Ray says he feels “lucky” to have had access to the drug via the NHS, especially now he is a granddad to Willow.
Ray says despite putting many new holes in his belt, his trousers are so loose they are falling off him.
Prof Barbara McGowan, an expert in obesity and diabetes, who runs the weight management service at Guy’s is delighted with the progress of patients such as Ray.