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!
FREE to attend for NHS and public sector attendees. Please see the Price & Attendance tab for full details.
Sponsored by: 
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.
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 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
With thanks to our sponsor
SBK Healthcare would like to thank Novo Nordisk for sponsoring this meeting.

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.
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
Professor Rob Andrews, Associate Professor, University of Exeter and Honorary Consultant Physician, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
|
| Identifying and engaging patients | |
| 9:40 |
Beyond the BMI: Preparing to identify and build a picture of obesity history
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
Mary Perkins, Speaker with lived experience
|
| 10:20 |
Questions and answers with your speakers
|
| Medical management of obesity | |
| 10:30 |
How to minimise weight-gain by choosing weight neutral drugs
Dr Mimi Chen, Specialist Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
|
| 11:00 |
Questions and answers with your speaker
|
| 11:05 |
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. |
| 11:15 |
Questions and answers with your industry partner speaker
|
| 11:20 |
Networking break
|
| Clinical interventions | |
| 11:40 |
Supporting behaviour change in a busy clinic: brief interventions with a big impact
Dr Katie Hesketh, Assistant Professor in Exercise Prescription, University of Birmingham & Dr Adrian Brown PhD RD, NIHR Advanced Fellow, Associate Professor (Principal Research Fellow) in Nutrition & Dietetic, Chair of Obesity Specialist Group of the British Dietetic Association and Honorary Senior Specialist Dietitian, University College London
|
| 12:20 |
Questions and answers with your speakers
|
| GLP-1s | |
| 12:30 |
Effective selection and use of GLP-1s: Obesity management for people with and without diabetes
Professor Thomas Barber, Professor of Endocrinology and Consultant Endocrinologist, University of Warwick and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
|
| 12:50 |
Questions and answers with your speaker
|
| 12:55 |
Interactive discussion: Selecting patients for GLP-1s and supporting the use
|
| 1:20 |
Networking lunch
|
| 2:20 |
Managing GLP-1 side effects and practical steps for navigating their long-term use
Irena Cruickshank, Weight Management Nurse Specialist, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
|
| 2:45 |
Questions and answers with your speaker
|
| Surgical pathways and aftercare | |
| 2:50 |
Referring patients for bariatric surgery: what GPs and nurses need to know
Mr Dimitri Pournaras, Upper Gastrointestinal, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon, North Bristol Centre for Weight Loss, Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, North Bristol NHS Trust
|
| 3:15 |
Psychological and biopsychosocial considerations in bariatric surgery
Dr Emily McBride, Clinical Lecturer in Health Psychology, King's College London, and Lead Bariatric Psychologist, NHS Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
|
| 3:40 |
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
|
| The national picture | |
| 4:25 |
From assessment to aftercare: building an integrated obesity pathway
Professor Alex Miras, Professor of Endocrinology, Ulster University
|
| 4:50 |
Questions and answers with your speakers
|
| 4:55 |
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:
Mary Perkins
Speaker with lived experience
Dr Mimi Chen
Specialist Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Katie Hesketh
Assistant Professor in Exercise Prescription
University of Birmingham
Dr Adrian Brown PhD RD
NIHR Advanced Fellow, Associate Professor (Principal Research Fellow) in Nutrition & Dietetic, Chair of Obesity Specialist Group of the British Dietetic Association and Honorary Senior Specialist Dietitian
University College London
Professor Thomas Barber
Professor of Endocrinology and Consultant Endocrinologist
University of Warwick and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Irena Cruickshank
Weight Management Nurse Specialist and Independent Prescriber
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Mr Dimitri Pournaras
Upper Gastrointestinal, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon
North Bristol Centre for Weight Loss, Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, North Bristol NHS Trust
Dr Emily McBride
Clinical Lecturer in Health Psychology and Lead Bariatric Psychologist
King's College London and NHS Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Professor Alex Miras
Professor of Endocrinology
Ulster University
Meet the Advisory Board
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.
Pricing
Due to commercial support we are now able to offer this conference to NHS and Public Sector attendees for FREE.
Please note: Places at the forum are free to attend however, if you book a place and find yourself no longer able to attend, please email the bookings@sbk-healthcare.co.uk with at least 5 working days notice, so that we can reallocate your place. Failure to attend without prior written cancellation will result in a charge of £100 + VAT.
- Commercial companies are invited to sponsor this day please email Vanessa Pearce for further details.
All attendees will be given a short, printed guide, created by your speakers, equipping you with a handy ongoing reference for each topic covered.
Venue details and 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
Terms and Conditions
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 bookings@sbk-healthcare.co.uk.
Cancellations and substitutions
This event is free of charge to NHS and Public Sector attendees, if you book a place and find yourself unable to attend you must inform us by emailing the bookings team at SBK Healthcare at least 5 working days prior to the event taking place. Failure to attend with out written cancellation, 5 days before the event will result in a charge of £100. Substitution attendees for delegates unable to attend after registering are acceptable at any time.
Conference 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.
Certificate of attendance
A certificate for Continuing Professional Development will be given to every attendee, as a record of continuing professional training and development.
Privacy notices
To view the details on how your data is being collected and used, please view our Privacy policy.
A one day conference dedicated to learning and networking
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:
With thanks to our sponsor
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.
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases, built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 63,400 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. For more information visit: www.novonordisk.co.uk
Why sponsor a Diabetes National Networking Forum
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 diabetes delivery forums offering 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.
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