TUNE-UP 1.0

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A pragmatic, mixed-methods evaluation of a specialist weight management service for people living with severe mental illness and obesity: the Treating Unmet NEeds in Psychiatry (TUNE-UP) clinic.

• IRAS ID

  367608

• Contact name

  Bashir Al-Hashimi

• Contact email

  vpri@kcl.ac.uk (Please cc Susan.Dickson@kcl.ac.uk)

• Sponsor organisation

  Kings College London

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  N/a, N/a

• Duration of Study in the UK

  3 years, 11 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  People with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, have a significantly shorter life expectancy than the general population. A major reason is poor physical health, particularly obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Weight gain is common because some psychiatric medications increase appetite, and symptoms of illness can make it harder to stay active and eat well.

  Although specialist NHS weight management services exist, they are not well integrated with mental health care and often do not meet the needs of people with severe mental illness. This study asks whether a specialist NHS weight management clinic designed for people with severe mental illness can improve engagement and physical health outcomes.

  The Treating Unmet Needs in Psychiatry (TUNE-UP) clinic is a new NHS service delivered by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. This research evaluates how well the service works in routine care.

  The study has two phases. First, we will collect information from co-design workshops that are already being held as part of routine NHS service development. The research team will observe and analyse feedback from these sessions.

  Second, we will evaluate the clinic by collecting information on attendance, completion rates, patient feedback, weight change, blood tests, blood pressure and mental health symptoms over 12 months.

  Adults receiving care from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust who have severe mental illness and are eligible for the clinic can take part in the evaluation phase. Adults with severe mental illness and a history of obesity, as well as carers and health professionals, can take part in the workshops.

  The study will run for five years (60 months). Clinic participants will be followed for 12 months, with optional longer-term follow-up using routine health records.

  This research is funded by the Maudsley Charity.

• REC name

  North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2

• REC reference

  26/NS/0033

• Date of REC Opinion

  29 Apr 2026

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion