Patient safety, prescribing standards and pharmacy governance
Clinical Governance & Patient Safety
At Live Well Weight Loss, patient safety comes first. Our online weight-loss service is built around clinical assessment, BMI verification, prescriber review, responsible dispensing and ongoing pharmacy support.
Our approach to safe online weight-loss care
Clinical governance means having clear systems in place to protect patients, support safe prescribing and continually improve the quality of care. For our online weight-loss service, this includes structured questionnaires, identity checks, BMI verification, clinical review, appropriate record keeping and clear escalation advice.
Patients may tell us their preferred treatment option and requested dose, but this does not guarantee supply. The final decision is made by a qualified prescriber after reviewing the consultation, medical history, current medicines, previous treatment use, BMI evidence and any relevant safety information.
Website information can support understanding, but it does not replace clinical judgement. Treatment is only supplied where it is considered clinically appropriate after prescriber review.
Governance principles we follow
Patient-centred care
We assess each patient individually, rather than treating weight-loss treatment as a simple online purchase.
Safe prescribing
Prescribing decisions are based on clinical suitability, eligibility, medical history and treatment risk.
Verification before supply
We ask for evidence to support identity and BMI checks before treatment can be approved.
Clear communication
Our team contacts patients where further information, clarification or support is needed.
Responsible dispensing
Approved treatment is dispensed by a UK pharmacy and sent using appropriate delivery procedures.
Continuous improvement
We review processes, patient feedback and safety concerns to improve the service over time.
Our clinical assessment process
Every order must pass through a structured assessment process before treatment is supplied. This helps us identify patients who may need a lower dose, further information, GP involvement, alternative support or no supply.
1. Online questionnaire
Patients complete a questionnaire covering BMI, medical history, medicines, allergies, previous treatment and relevant health conditions.
2. Preference and dose request
Patients can indicate a preferred option and dose. This is a preference only and does not guarantee supply.
3. Pharmacy team contact
Orders placed before 3pm are usually contacted the same working day. Later orders are usually contacted within 24 hours on working days.
4. Video verification
Patients complete a video consultation or verification process to support identity, height, weight and BMI checks.
5. Safety checks
With consent, we may complete Summary Care Record checks where appropriate to confirm relevant safety information.
6. Prescriber review
A qualified prescriber reviews the consultation and supporting evidence. Treatment is approved only if clinically appropriate.
What we check before supply
- Age and identity
- Weight, height and BMI evidence
- Medical history and current medicines
- Allergies and contraindications
- Previous treatment and dose history
- Side effects or tolerability concerns
- Potential interactions or safety risks
- Whether the requested dose is appropriate
When we may not supply
- If eligibility criteria are not met
- If BMI or identity evidence cannot be verified
- If the requested dose is unsafe or unsuitable
- If medical history suggests increased risk
- If current medicines raise safety concerns
- If treatment history is unclear
- If urgent medical review is more appropriate
- If further information is needed first
Dose escalation, restarts and switching provider
Dose decisions are made carefully. Patients who are new to treatment, restarting after a break, switching from another provider or requesting a higher dose may be asked for additional information or evidence of recent treatment.
Treatment should usually start at the lowest appropriate dose and increase gradually only when clinically suitable. If there is uncertainty about previous treatment history, side effects, BMI, current medicines or suitability, the prescriber may recommend a lower dose, delay supply, request more information or decline treatment.
Ongoing monitoring and patient support
Safe care does not end when treatment is dispatched. Patients can contact the pharmacy team for routine support with side effects, dose questions, treatment progression and general lifestyle guidance.
We encourage patients to report side effects, changes in medical history, new medicines, pregnancy, planned surgery, hospital admissions or any symptoms that may affect treatment suitability.
Our pharmacy team can help with routine questions, but emergency symptoms should not wait for an online response. Patients should contact NHS 111, their GP, or emergency services where appropriate.
Dispensing and delivery safeguards
- Supply only after clinical approval
- Prescription signed before dispensing
- Dispensing by a UK pharmacy team
- Appropriate packaging and delivery process
- Tracked delivery after approval
- Patient contact if dispatch is delayed
Quality and risk management
- Review of service processes
- Review of patient feedback
- Investigation of dispensing or service concerns
- Escalation of clinical safety issues
- Updates when guidance changes
- Staff training and process improvement
Complaints, incidents and continuous improvement
We take complaints, concerns and incidents seriously. If something goes wrong, we aim to review what happened, respond appropriately, identify any learning points and improve our process where needed.
Patients can contact us if they have concerns about the service, delivery, treatment suitability, side effects, communication or any aspect of their experience. Where a matter requires clinical escalation, it will be reviewed by an appropriate member of the team.
Want to understand how our service works?
Our online weight-loss service explains the patient journey from assessment and verification through to prescriber review, dispensing, delivery and ongoing support.
Frequently asked questions
Useful regulatory and safety sources
The following sources help inform safe online pharmacy practice, medicine advertising standards and patient safety expectations.
- General Pharmaceutical Council
- MHRA guidance on advertising medicines
- NHS information on obesity
- NICE guidance and advice