Clinical Governance in Weight Management

Clinical governance is the framework that holds services to the highest standards of safety, confidentiality, effectiveness, and person-centred care.

In weight management, this covers prescribing decisions, patient education, pharmacovigilance, data protection, and continuous improvement.

Medicspot’s model combines UK regulatory requirements with robust internal policies and communication systems so that care is consistent, auditable, and responsive to patient needs.

Clinical Policies and Standard Operating Procedures

• Written SOPs for assessment, prescribing, dose escalation, side effect management, step-down, clinical incidents and discontinuation
• Contraindication and eligibility checklists embedded in workflows
• Shared care and referral pathways for NHS coordination
• Documented escalation routes for red flag symptoms and urgent review

Safe Prescribing and Pharmacy Controls

• Identity verification and Summary Care Record checks before prescribing
• Medication history, allergies, and interactions reviewed prior to approval
• Prescribing by UK-registered clinicians, dispensing by regulated pharmacy partners
• Dose initiation and titration follow SmPC guidance, with scheduled review points
• Clear criteria for pausing, stepping down, or stopping therapy
• For more information see the article on our Prescribing Process

Monitoring, Aftercare, and Continuity

• 12 months of structured aftercare for eligible members who have been on treatment for at least 4 months
• First 3 months weekly check-ins, next 9 months monthly check-ins
• Routine measurement of weight
• Behavioural support and nutrition coaching to maintain results and reduce relapse risk

Pharmacovigilance and Incident Management

• Adverse event collection at each check-in and through patient self-report
• MHRA Yellow Card reporting and internal signal detection
• Incident reporting system with root cause analysis, action plans, and learning loops
• Rapid safety communications to patients and staff where required

Information Governance and Data Protection

• Compliance with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act
• Role-based access controls, encryption in transit and at rest
• Patient consent captured for data use and information sharing with NHS services
• Retention and deletion schedules aligned to legal requirements
• For more information see our Terms & Conditions

Clinical Quality Assurance and Audit

• Regular audits of eligibility decisions, prescribing accuracy, follow-up timeliness, and outcomes
• Case note reviews against SOPs and regulatory standards
• Dashboard tracking of efficacy, adherence, discontinuation, and safety signals
• Quarterly quality reports to the clinical leadership team and board

Training, Competency, and CPD

• Mandatory induction for GLP-1 prescribing, side effect management, and safeguarding
• Ongoing CPD, case-based discussions, and competency sign-off
• Annual revalidation support and peer review for prescribers
• Coaching team trained in behaviour change, motivational interviewing, and nutrition basics under clinical governance oversight

Patient Information, Consent, and Shared Decision Making

• Plain-language education on benefits, risks, and alternatives
• Informed consent captured before treatment and at dose changes
• Accessible formats and support for diverse literacy and language needs
• Encouragement of patient goals, preferences, and values in care planning

Communication with NHS Services

• Secure updates to NHS GPs with patient consent
• Discharge summaries and transfer letters for shared care or step-down
• Alignment with local pathways and community services where appropriate

Advertising, Claims, and Compliance 

• Content reviewed against MHRA, ASA, CAP, and GMC guidance
• No promotion of prescription-only medicines to the general public
• Separation of education from transactional prompts in informational pages

Continuous Improvement and Patient Feedback

• Patient satisfaction surveys and complaint handling with timely responses
• Use of feedback, audits, and incident learning to update SOPs and training
• Version control and publication dates on clinical content for transparency
• For more information see our complaints policy.

Clinical governance at Medicspot integrates safe prescribing, robust monitoring, and behavioural support within a regulated framework. Clear policies, trained teams, data-driven audits, and strong NHS communication ensure care that is safe, effective, and accountable for every patient.

You can complete an online health assessment if you would like to explore whether GLP-1 treatment may be clinically appropriate for you – start the assessment.

Dr Abby Hyams completed her medical training in Bristol and has been a GP for 19 years, spending many of those as a partner in an NHS practice in Hemel Hempstead. She has a particular passion for supporting patients with weight loss and promoting positive behaviour change, helping individuals build sustainable habits that improve their long-term health and wellbeing.

This article is for general information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Medic Spot Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, please call 999 for immediate assistance.

There is no guarantee of a specific weight loss medication being prescribed. Clinicians will review your online questionnaire alongside other independently validated medical information about you and will recommend the most appropriate weight loss treatments for you based on your answers. In some cases, the clinicians may contact you for additional information. See Terms of Service for more information.