Exercise referral allows people with a variety of medical conditions and/or a sedentary lifestyle, to attend short-term physical activity programmes.
The aim of this short-term intervention is to promote long-term adherence, by encouraging lifestyle changes, through which more physical activity will be incorporated into people's lives. The scheme may be seen as an alternative or an addition to the prescription of drugs for certain conditions, and may ultimately reduce patient visits to the doctor and improve their health and wellbeing.
Themes
- Physical activity
- Behaviour change
Localilty
Hambleton (Bedale, Northallerton, Stokesley and Thirsk)
Aims
Exercise referral allows primary health care professionals to refer individuals with a variety of medical conditions and/or a history of sedentary lifestyle, who would never normally consider participating in regular physical activity, for a short-term, supervised programme of physical activity at any of the four district council run leisure centres. The aim of this short-term intervention is to promote long-term adherence, by encouraging lifestyle changes, through which more physical activity will be incorporated into people's lives.
The scheme may be seen as an alternative or an adjunct to the prescription of drugs for certain conditions, and may ultimately reduce patient visits to the doctor.
Details
Referrals are made by GPs and other health professionals such as cardio-rehabilitation consultants for patients that they feel would benefit from participating in physical activity.
The scheme is available to patients who meet the following essential criteria:
- Sedentary or physically inactive (less than 30 minutes activity per week);
- Low to moderate risk health conditions;
- Aged 16 years or above;
- Would benefit from being more physically active; and
- Keen to do facility based exercise.
The following mild to moderate health problems are recommended reasons for referral on to the scheme:
- Overweight/obesity
- Hypertension
- Mild to moderate mental health problems - depression, anxiety or stress
- Diabetes I and II
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Asthma
- Post physiotherapy musculoskeletal conditions - knee, hip, shoulder
- Family history of heart disease
This scheme is not appropriate for high risk people. Clinical judgement will be important but usually those with the following will not be suitable for referral:
- Unstable angina
- Unstable hypertension
- Unstable diabetes
- Severe coronary heart disease or early post myocardial infarction/coronary artery bypass
- graft/angioplasty; Cardiac Phase 1,2,3
- Unstable and/or severe mental health problem
- Pregnancy - if previously been sedentary
When a referral is made the patient will make an appointment at their chosen centre to meet a trained instructor where their condition and needs will be discussed and a 12 week programme of activity agreed. Exercise referral scheme customers pay a concessionary rate for their sessions.
Over a 12 week period the patient is supported to complete a progressive exercise programme and encouraged to continue participating in physical activity in the future, either by joining the gym or another club/group.
How will this case study improve health and reduce health inequalities?
- The programme encourages long-term lifestyle changes;
- The scheme increases participation in physical activity supporting those in most need;
- The scheme is accessible to all; and
- The participant pays a subsidised rate for each session.
Contact details
Lisa Wilson, community leisure manager
Hambleton District Council
Tel: 01609 767149
Email: lisa.wilson@hambleton.gov.uk
