Documents you may be asked for before treatment

Why providers ask for documents

Before prescribing, a private weight-management service needs to verify your identity and gather enough clinical information to make a safe prescribing decision. This may involve documents or records beyond what the initial screening questionnaire covers.

Knowing what to expect — and what is reasonable to ask — can help you prepare and also spot requests that seem excessive or unusual.

Commonly requested information

• Photo ID — to confirm your identity. A driving licence or passport is typical. This is a standard safeguarding requirement.
• Recent weight and height — some services accept self-reported figures; others may ask for a photo of you on a scale or a recent clinical measurement.
• GP practice details — name and address of your registered GP. Some providers require this to share prescribing decisions; others simply recommend it.
• Medical history summary — relevant conditions, past treatments, allergies, and current medications. This is usually collected via the screening questionnaire, but more complex cases may require a written summary from your GP.
• Blood test results — some services request recent blood work (for example, HbA1c for diabetes screening, or thyroid function). Others include blood testing as part of their onboarding pathway.

What is reasonable to ask

• Any document that helps confirm your identity or supports a safe clinical decision is reasonable.
• Asking for GP details is good practice — it enables communication about your treatment.
• Requesting blood tests before prescribing, especially for certain conditions, is a sign of thorough clinical oversight.

What may be a warning sign

• A service that does not ask for any medical history or documentation before prescribing. This suggests the clinical assessment may be superficial.
• Requests for payment details before any clinical information has been gathered.
• Storing sensitive documents without a clear privacy policy explaining how they are processed and retained.
• Unclear data-sharing policies — you should know whether your information will be shared with your GP, and you should have a choice where possible.
• See the red flags guide for related warning signs.

How to prepare

• Have photo ID ready before starting the application process.
• Know your GP practice name and postcode.
• Prepare a brief list of current medications, known allergies, and relevant medical conditions.
• If you have recent blood test results, keep them accessible — some services accept results less than 3 months old.
• Read the provider's privacy policy before uploading any documents.
• Use our eligibility checks guide for a broader picture of what to expect.

Next steps

• Check general eligibility criteria
• Browse the provider directory
• See how we evaluate providers

Last reviewed: March 2026

Sources

• GMC — Decision making and consent
• ICO — Data protection and healthcare
• How we evaluate providers