Blacktown Hospital Metabolic and Weight Loss Clinic

Blacktown Hospital Metabolic & Weight Loss Clinic

Information for health professionals

Currently we are not taking referrals for patients who live outside the Blacktown Council area

Do your patients need to lose weight to improve their health? Maybe we can help!

Obesity is one of the fastest growing epidemics in Australia. In western Sydney, over two-thirds of our population is either overweight or obese. To address this major health problem, Blacktown Hospital was given funding to create a team of health professionals to assess and manage patients with obesity and its associated complications.

The Metabolic & Weight Loss Clinic program was established in 2017 and is based on a multidisciplinary team approach. We provide:

  • intensive lifestyle coaching
  • consultations with our dietitian, medical staff (specialist endocrinologist), psychologist, clinical nurse consultant and exercise physiologist
  • for some patients where significantly more weight loss is indicated, weight loss surgery (e.g. gastric sleeve, gastric bypass) may be performed by our upper GI surgeons at Blacktown Hospital at no cost to the patient. This process is rigorous and patients must demonstrate adherence to the program and high levels of motivation to be eligible

What are the patient eligibility criteria for the program?

  1. The patient is willing to attend appointments involving doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists, dietitians and nurses. They must also agree to attend group sessions as part of their management
  2. The referring clinician should be convinced the patient is motivated to commence significant lifestyle changes required to lose weight and improve their health
  3. Patients should have a BMI > 45 kg/m2 plus 2 obesity-related comorbidities or characteristics (complete page 2 of our referral form) OR
  4. A BMI > 40 kg/m2 with co-existing type 2 diabetes
  5. Patients with psychological (e.g. depression, anxiety) or psychiatric (e.g. eating disorders, psychosis, bipolar disease) illness, or substance and/or alcohol excess/abuse issues, must be in active treatment and have been assessed as clinically stable by their treating health professional. Letters of support from their treating professional are required (do not tick if N/A)
  6. Patients should be a non-smoker or have quit smoking for at least the most recent 6-months. Current smokers are eligible for the program provided they commence treatment to quit smoking. Metabolic-bariatric surgery, if indicated, will be delayed for at least 6-months from the date they quit smoking
  7. Patients should not be planning pregnancy within the next 18-24 months
  8. Patients must be able to attend the University Clinics at Blacktown Hospital at least twice a month

Will it cost my patients anything to enrol in your program?

The Metabolic & Weight Loss Clinic is a fully publicly funded program. This means there are no out-of-pocket costs to our patients.

How do I refer a patient to your program?

Referrals will only be accepted via our


Please email completed referral forms to:

Fax icon [email protected]

OR

Access and complete the 'Metabolic and Weight Loss Clinic Adult Referral Form' through the HealthPathways website under the Lifestyle & Preventive Care > Obesity Management section.


We cannot accept standard GP referrals - these will be returned to the submitting GP who will be asked to complete the Metabolic & Weight Loss Clinic Adult Referral Form.

What other free, publicly funded weight loss programs might be suitable for my patients?

Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service

The Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service is a free telephone-based health coaching service which can help provide your patients with the support and motivation they need to reach their healthy lifestyle goals.

It provides access to advice and support from health coaches who are qualified dietitians, exercise physiologists, psychologists and nurses.

Get Healthy Information & Coaching ServiceFor more information about the service, including who is eligible, why and how to refer your patients, call 1300 806 258 or visit the Get Healthy NSW website.


Section Menu