PEACETIME: A new model of obesity care with a lasting impact

The PEACETIME project, led by Ulster University and supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), represents a €10 million investment in transforming obesity care on the island of Ireland. At its heart is a 12-month intervention that will deliver structured, community-based support to 9,000 people living with obesity in counties Derry/Londonderry, Tyrone and Donegal.

 Alex Miras

“Obesity is a chronic disease requiring long-term, integrated care,” said Professor Alex Miras, Clinical Professor in Medicine and Principal Investigator. “This project brings that vision to life, combining clinical excellence, lived experience, and community innovation to improve lives at scale.”

The project is delivered in partnership with the Irish Coalition for People Living with Obesity (ICPO), the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC), Atlantic Technological University (ATU), and the Derry GP Federation.

Integrated care, close to home

PEACETIME moves obesity care beyond hospital settings into local communities. Participants will have access to a multidisciplinary team including nurses, dietitians, psychologists, physical activity specialists and health coaches. Care will be personalised, holistic, and supported by digital health technologies to monitor progress and encourage long-term behavioural change.

This integrated pathway recognises obesity as a chronic disease requiring sustained management, not short-term intervention. By embedding support within communities, PEACETIME reduces barriers to access, addresses health inequalities, and provides continuity of care where it is most needed.

Benefits for patients and communities

The potential benefits of PEACETIME are wide-ranging:

• Improved health outcomes – targeted weight management, better physical and psychological wellbeing, and enhanced quality of life.

• Greater access to treatment – for the first time, many in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland will receive structured, evidence-based obesity care.

• Reduced healthcare demand – shifting treatment from hospitals to communities helps alleviate pressure on acute services.

• Empowered communities – by involving local providers and patient organisations, the programme builds resilience and shared ownership of care.
  

Long-term impact

Beyond individual health gains, PEACETIME is expected to deliver substantial economic and societal benefits. Reducing complications of obesity such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease can lower long-term healthcare costs and support healthier, more productive communities.

Importantly, the programme will also generate valuable scientific evidence about effective treatment pathways and the role of digital health tools. These insights will inform future service design and policy, with the potential to influence care models across the UK, Ireland and internationally.

A scalable model for the future

By embedding patient voices, clinical expertise, and technological innovation in a single framework, PEACETIME offers a scalable model of integrated obesity care. Its legacy could extend well beyond its initial 9,000 participants, shaping how healthcare systems respond to one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time.