NHS Has No Answer To Weight Control
We wanted to test our theory of calorie control and their practical understanding on the best that was in the area. If you have an opinion, get it tested by the professionals.
So we invited the heads of south west obesity and weight management departments in great western hospital in Swindon to meet us at out 24hrgym in Swindon. Us as calorie teachers wanted to show these professionals what we are doing that is so revolutionary different.
And hopefully get a white paper as suggested to be “recognised” by the “establishment” as we were pointed out this was the correct path in establishing a concept. So they told us we needed their Seal of approval. Or the first step of a ladder was up to them. So in the presence of:
Mark Banbury - Senior Dietitian, Nutrition Support
Lynda Webb - Nutrition and Dietetic Services Manager S & M NHS Trust
Clair Baber - Chief Dietitian, TGW S & M NHS Trust
Hanna Fishlock - Department Specialist Dietitian in Obesity
They attended, some what late, but they did turn up.
We presented them with a simple concept in calorie understanding. Who each described their opinion all of which we unfortunately dismissed as irrelevant in curing obesity, trying to establish the only correct way was to understand calories.
In frustration we gave them an example of how respected educators were out of touch of objective nutrition.
We did not feel we were making head way so I quickly posed a hypothetical question for them to answer to prove they had not objectified their opinion subjectively.
The hypothetical question was…
We asked each one of them to imagine that if there was an imminent disaster pending, and we had a place underground to go to survive, ensuring we remained underground for 3 months.
- Ventilation and oxygen and hygiene was not a problem.
- We could take as much water as we wanted.
- Light and heat was not a problem.
- But we could only choose one food for survival. And on that answer we could evaluate collectively, who was the nutrition expert and accept the advice.
The 3 of them thought for a while.
Lynda Webb said “chocolate” (We were surprised I must say).
Clair Baber said “potatoes”.
Mark Banbury the senior dietician declined to answer the question. (?)
I gave a clue, to a prompt Mark a food that feeds a third of the world’s population today.
He still remained silent.
I suggested my food would be rice due to its high storage ability and nutritional content. And preferably brown rice.
Giving an analogy that dropping down chocolate or potatoes on to starving people would not be appreciated.
They never seemed impressed with us testing them, but did show an interest in obtaining our work book to “look at and consider” we declined their offer.
When I tackled Lynda Webb on how she works out her calories she replied “I do it, like you do” of course I should of asked the question prior to showing her how we do it. We are calorie teachers so of course we know how to do it, and it is the only way it can be done so its not that they do it, it’s not real to pretend you do it differently.
We sent a email asking for a assessment as they previously said we needed from them. Especially as she said she does, what we do herself at home. To work out her calories…
Here is the email I sent…
Since that meeting and email and many calls we had one limp response from Mark Banbury.
Why avoid us and ignore us. We are only showing other people how to do what Lynda webb claims to do anyway. Hannah Fishlock did not attended and we have never heard any feed back.
Hi Vernon
Thanks for inviting us to your presentation.
Sorry its taken a while to get back to you.
I have passed on feedback to Hannah as she is the department specialist dietitian in obesity.
Mark Banbury
Senior Dietitian - Nutrition Support
The Great Western Hospital
Swindon SN3 6BB
I managed after many unreturned calls to finally speak with Lynda Webb who said quite simply,
“Your mathematics on explaining calories add up.”
Well thank you very much Lynda Webb we have spent 25 years doing this I am sure they do, the funny thing is yours do not. Even If they did she is totally unaware of it.
The best analogy here is the “blind leading the blind”.
Lynda Webb has here own policy on effective weight loss, see if you can understand it, or have the ability to even read it. I stressed our simplistic approach is far superior to her intellectual approach; I will let you decide yourself.
Download the “Swindon and Marlborough Obesity Strategy” (PDF).
——-Original Message——-
From: Vernon Montgomery
Sent: 14 October 2005 17:28
To: Hannah
Cc: vince; Mark; Claire
Subject: Meeting with Fat Research.U.K
Dear Hannah.
Re: Sundiet
It was great to meet yourself, Mark and Claire on Tuesday 11th Oct. in which we discussed our new concept. The purpose of this meeting was for your personal opinion on our system with regards incorporating it with in the NHS. The main reason for our meeting on Tuesday 11th Oct was from a previous telephone conversation with yourself in which you suggested we operate this within Swindon first and our first port of call should be in obtaining a white paper from yourself for us to be recognised. Could you please inform me as to the feasibility of this in view of what you have seen.
As you can appreciate all information is confidential until its official launch on Jan 4th 06. We have put together the program in a format and application in our work book which will be ready next week and would like to book an appointment with you at your earliest convenience to show you the improved format.
We have 3 more meetings planned in the coming months which includes the BBC, and M.P for Swindon.
As part of our research we would very much like to interview you on what’s currently being used within the NHS at the moment. To add momentum to our research we would like a conclusion and forward to our program which we can use as merit in arranging further meetings.
We learned did something new from yourself at the meeting, in the support after the program as you rightly say most fall away after a few months. We have developed something unique in this after care so lacking in other programs. We have also considered a year guarantee to the individual and should the NHS pay for the program the Health government can recoup any fees already paid to us in full on any failures in the program for up to 1 year.
We are also looking for further contacts with other obesity research groups here and in U.S.A if you have any suggestions for us please let us know if you recommend any contacts for us.
We would greatly appreciate a personal opinion from Mark and Claire individually on their personal thoughts regarding the meeting on the sundiet. Positive or negative and any recommendations they may offer. We would also like to mention to them all information on the sundiet is confidential and for their opinion only at this stage and appreciate their non disclosure.
Is this something you would like to see us do within the NHS or we could choose a more commercial route and come back to you in a year as you suggested. We would appreciate consideration in working with a group of obese individuals for free to aid a decision in the future.
We would be more than happy to attend any board meeting which mentions this concept if you could let me know if this is your intention.
In view of what you have seen what do you think should be our next positive move.
I await your reply with interest.
Kind regards.
Good Health
Vern & Vince Montgomery
Sundiet

Anne Widdecombe
10th Oct 2003
26th Oct 2003