RIO named as "centre of excellence"

LIFE-CHANGING Rotherham Institute for Obesity (RIO) has been recognised as a centre of excellence by a national health organisation.

The centre, based at Clifton Lane Medical Centre, has become a Centre of Obesity Management by the Association of the Study of Obesity.

It will see other weight management centres from across the country tour RIO to see if they can replicate the work being done by its dedicated team of 14 staff.

Dr Matt Capehorn, RIO’s clinical manager, said: “We are very proud to get the accreditation and it’s a good reflection of all the hard work the staff do.

“The ASO know what they are talking about so it is something we are very proud of.”

The Advertiser is calling for RIO to be saved from threatened closure by ensuring it is given the necessary amount of funding as part of our Fighting Fit campaign.

RIO’s future has been thrown into doubt as part of a shake-up of public health services across the borough.

Rotherham Borough Council bosses are currently deciding on how to make £1.3 million of cuts from its public health bill, following a public consultation.

Dr Capehorn said he was expecting to find out RIO’s fate in December, and, if the announcement is a cut in funding, the facility could close as soon as next July.