Health-conscious staff at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) have lost more than half a ton in weight after embarking on a Trust-wide initiative to shed the pounds.

More than a hundred staff at UHB have signed up to a special Weight Watchers class which is held every Friday morning at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB).

And, since starting the combined battle of the bulge last December, the collection of nurses, managers, administrative staff and chaplains have lost an impressive 1140 pounds in total (as of 22 June 2012), which amounts to 81 stone or more than half a ton.

The mass slim was set up by Senior HR Manager Antony Cobley, who had the added incentive – and benefit – of reducing his type 2 diabetes.

He has emerged as one of the most successful dieters to date, having lost 3 stone in weight from his starting point of over 17 stone. And, as a result, he is confident of being removed completely from the diabetic register within the next few months.

He said: “The scheme is part and parcel and the Trust’s Health and Well-being Strategy, to help staff lose weight. It was instigated by me because I lead on health and well-being.

“We were already offering free eye tests so I thought we should do something around weight.”

Antony said he contacted various major slimming organisations before Weight Watchers came forward.

“We only wanted to let in a company that was professional and passed muster, and that our dieticians were happy with what was on offer. We then agreed to launch it.”

The weekly weigh-in sessions are held at QEHB's Plaza restaurant every Friday morning between 07:30 and 09:00.

“Weight Watchers have never done a 07:30 session before but we knew we would get a good response at that time in the morning. We have 103 people taking part and, on average, between 40 and 50 attend due to such things as shifts.

“People come in either before or after their shift and do their weigh-in and maybe stop for a brief chat.”

Although the Weight Watchers group is just made up of staff, it is open for patients and visitors to attend. Staff were initially encouraged to join through a Trust-wide email, but word of mouth then took over.

“It has been very, very popular,” added Antony, who says he still has a couple of stone to lose to reach his target weight.

“The key thing for me is that we are doing it in work time, and that gives a clear message to staff that we care enough about their health and well-being to support them.

“I joined Weight Watchers in January and have now reached three stones' weight loss. For me, that’s very important because 18 months ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

“At my recent half-yearly diabetic review they reduced my medication and, in a couple of months time they are due to stop my last tablet and I will no longer be diabetic.”

The biggest weight loss to date has been achieved by bone marrow transplant coordinator Bryony Randall, who has so far lost 44lb. The total lost by the top 10 dieters in the group has reached an amazing 314lb, or 22 stone.