Counting Calories Vs Counting Costs:

Do Weight-Loss Jabs Save the NHS Money?

Is Ozempic a Legitimate New Year’s ‘Resolution’ or Just a Quick Fix…

It’s that time of year again—new gym memberships, dusty yoga mats, and vows to eat fewer biscuits. How many of these resolutions revolve around weight loss? A lot. And that brings us to the topic in this week’s papers: weight-loss jabs. Should the NHS offer them routinely, or are we dodging a bigger issue?

The celebrity in this jab story is Ozempic, the star of TikTok weight-loss trends. On the NHS, it’s approved as a type 2 diabetes treatment, not as a slimming solution. Its cousin, Wegovy (same active ingredient: semaglutide), is NICE-approved for managing obesity—but only in specific cases.

The weight-loss jab boom highlights a deeper issue: our struggle to tackle the root causes of obesity. Let’s be honest: we’re surrounded by an avalanche of unhealthy food options, and the UK’s policies on the food and drink industry could use a serious shake-up.

Supporters of these treatments argue they’ll reduce NHS costs related to obesity: think fewer heart attacks, strokes, or bariatric surgeries. But we need to ask, ‘How far do we take this logic?’ Here’s the uncomfortable flip side - wouldn't living longer, healthier lives also rack up higher healthcare costs in the long term? (For example, some dark economic models even suggest that heavy smoking saves healthcare costs because smokers don’t live as long.) Such utilitarian calculations can feel a bit uneasy, which is likely why many choose to sideline the ‘saving the NHS money’ argument when it comes to Ozempic.

Ethical dilemmas aside, it’s clear that these economic calculations aren’t going anywhere. Fair enough—but we need solid evidence before we go down that road. Are people who take these drugs managing to keep the weight off a year or two later? If not, it’s hard to justify adding yet another strain to an already overstretched NHS.

Then there’s the ethical argument: should the NHS fund treatments for something many see as a personal responsibility? Critics argue that more exercise and better diets could solve the issue without requiring a jab. But as any doctor knows, it’s never that simple. Weight loss isn’t just about willpower—biology, environment, and access to resources all play significant roles.

The debate goes beyond medicine—it’s a tangled mix of societal, ethical, and economic questions. As for the On-Call team? we’re just relieved we don’t have to make the final call on this one...

New Year’s Eve Romance: Proceed with Caution

So, you’re considering making a move on a former patient at a New Year’s Eve party? Hold up, Casanova. The GMC has some advice—and no, it doesn’t include matchmaker vouchers. Before you leap into romantic territory, consider these key questions:

• How long ago did the professional relationship end, and how long did it last? A two-second sick note isn’t the same as ten years of care.

• Was the patient vulnerable at the time—or are they still vulnerable now?

• Are you treating their mum (or another family member)?

When in doubt, call the GMC. Sure, it might be an awkward chat, but it’s better than becoming the star of a headline-worthy plot twist in our On-Call community.

Murals, Masterpieces, and… What Exactly Is That? A Look at NHS Artwork

Healing the body and distracting the mind…

Whether you're sitting in an NHS waiting area or pacing down a corridor mid-on-call, we've all encountered NHS 'art'. From murals and paintings to the occasional "abstract" piece, these works are meant to inspire, distract, or simply leave you wondering what exactly the artist was thinking.

We’re all familiar with the growing evidence that art can have a positive impact on the health and well-being of both patients and staff. The NHS has made strides in embedding art into healthcare settings—sometimes to stunning effect, and other times... let’s just say, interesting effect.

Take, for example, the paediatrics department. The painted walls are designed to be a comforting distraction for our youngest patients, but if we’re honest, they often serve as a distraction to us too. From the cheerful handprints to the overly enthusiastic clowns, one can’t help but wonder if the artwork is part of a larger plot to keep us occupied while we navigate the chaotic corridors of hospital life.

Back in the early 20th century, new hospital buildings were focused entirely on the "medicalised" approach to care, with very little to no art in sight. Decorations were pretty much considered taboo. A sterile, no-nonsense approach to healthcare, in theory, gave patients the best chance of recovery.

In 1979, the independent charity, The King’s Fund, initiated the Murals for Hospital Decoration scheme, The goal? To commission young artists to brighten up NHS buildings in Greater London with murals. And thus, a new era of hospital art was born.

Sure, some of these pieces might raise eyebrows or spark impromptu debates in the staff room (what is that supposed to be?), but it’s hard to deny the power of art to transform a space. Whether it's to calm an anxious patient, or simply give staff something to chat about while waiting for the coffee machine to finish its interminable cycle, art plays a role. So, while we may not always understand it, it seems that much like us on our on-call shifts, NHS art is here to stay.

But NHS art is not just commissioned by charities like The King’s Fund anymore. No, no. The NHS has really started investing in art with some show-stopping, wallet-flattering pieces. Take, for example, the £8,000 steel giraffes at Tameside Hospital in Greater Manchester, Or the £83,000 water feature at Salford Royal. And let’s not forget the £120,000 ceiling artwork at Barts and Royal London. Questionable artwork really starts to stir up debate when it is funded in place of fundamentals that can sometimes be scarce in the NHS.

“You should have seen my face when the new Swiss on-call consultant took over the computer during the ward round and tried to scroll up and down the screen with his finger. Touchscreen NHS computers? Maybe in another hundred years!"

“I wish I’d taken a photo, but in the surgical waiting area of a Birmingham hospital, there’s a nightmare-inducing picture of Harry Potter dementors ready to steal your soul. No wonder I had a panic attack before going under.”

“What a beautiful time of year on the medical take… It is actually more surprising when the Septic patient’s viral swabs come back negative”

“This New Year’s Eve can’t be as bad as last. We had a patient with life-threatening alcohol intoxication who had decided a couple of hours previously to take a dump in his neighbour’s garden”

Email us to share what’s on your mind in our next issue!

Weekly Poll

Last week’s poll:

The Festive Rota Dilemma:
Would you rather work over Christmas or New Years?

Have an idea for our next poll? Let us know!

As we approach in the New Year, let’s raise a glass to our phenomenal NHS colleagues, especially those braving the frontlines in acute settings. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be a showcase of our nation’s healthcare challenges. From general surgeons and gastro teams valiantly battling severe pancreatitis to the ED SHO radiating positivity amidst the chaos, your resilience is nothing short of heroic.

Meanwhile, innovation is joining the winter fight. South Tees NHS Trust is rolling out AI-driven systems to predict and assist frequent A&E visitors. These systems identify high-use patients and assign them a dedicated support worker for social, practical, and emotional aid. The result? A 50% reduction in their A&E visits. Not only does this help ease the load on NHS staff, but it also provides targeted care for frequent visitors who often live in deprived areas and are grappling with mental health challenges.

So, here’s to tech that works, and hopefully, a 2025 with fewer 3 a.m. pancreatitis calls. You’ve got this.