Aled Robert Thomas, 32, was referred to the NHS Specialist Weight Management Service around two and a half years ago after seeking help from his GP for severe obesity.
He was initially prescribed Wegovy before being moved onto Mounjaro towards the end of his treatment and says he has now lost more than 20kg in total.
“The problem with the NHS is that they only give two years of medication and then after you’ve had two years you have to self‑fund,” he said.
“Mounjaro was very effective, I’ve lost a lot of weight, so I wrote to my GP asking to carry on, but they said they weren’t willing to fund it.”
Mr Thomas, who is currently unemployed, said the injections cost him over £300 a month privately.
“It is a massive expense, but there doesn’t seem to be another way around it,” he said. “I don’t want to be without the medication. Losing weight has helped me feel healthier and it’s good for my mental health as well as my physical health.”
He complained to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, arguing that obesity should be treated as a long‑term chronic condition and questioning why effective medication should be stopped purely because funding had run out rather than on clinical grounds.
When the board refused to extend treatment, he took his case to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
In a decision letter dated 7 May 2026, the Ombudsman’s office said the Specialist Weight Management Service is funded “to provide support for a maximum of two years” and that it could not challenge this funding or policy decision or recommend that Mr Thomas be treated differently from other patients.
It also noted the board’s position that patients are told from the outset that pharmacological treatment cannot continue beyond the funded period.
Mr Thomas says the situation risks creating a “two‑tier” system.
“It is deeply worrying that patients can make genuine progress with their health, only to have treatment withdrawn because funding has run out,” he said.
“Healthcare in Wales should be based on medical need, not on who can afford hundreds of pounds every month.”
A spokesperson for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: “Cardiff and Vale University Health Board recognises the growing public interest in newer injectable therapies for weight management and the important role they can play in supporting people living with obesity.
“We understand that discontinuation of any treatment can be challenging, particularly where medication has been effective in supporting weight loss and improving health outcomes.
Our Specialist Weight Management Service provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for individuals with severe obesity.
This includes input from medical, nursing, dietetic, psychological, and therapy professionals, with treatment plans tailored to each individual’s clinical needs.
“Where clinically appropriate, weight management medications, including injectable therapies such as Mounjaro, may be offered as part of a structured programme of care and are prescribed in line with NICE guidance and Welsh Government policy.
“Demand for this service is high and access is prioritised according to clinical need.
“We are committed to ensuring eligible patients have fair and equitable access to evidence-based care that supports sustainable improvements in weight and overall health following discontinuation of treatment or medication”.
