North Dorset Exercise Referral Scheme
In partnership with the North Dorset Primary Care Trust, we operate a well used Exercise on Referral Scheme at all four of our leisure centres in Blandford, Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury and Gillingham. The scheme is aimed at people suffering from medical conditions that would benefit from attending regular exercise to enhance their quality of life and improve their health for the future.
High levels of inactivity in your lifestyle can be a major factor in developing many serious health problems. It is widely recognised that a sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest killers in today’s society.
Through recent consultation with scheme users and health professionals a number of areas of development and need have been identified which will allow the current scheme to be developed providing a more comprehensive service to the communities of North Dorset.
Andrew Connell a Team Leader from Sturminster Newton Leisure Centre has just been appointed as a Physical Activity & Lifestyle Co-ordinator, a new 2 year post that has been set up to strengthen the existing scheme and develop and expand it into new areas.
Funding has been secured through a successful bid to the Council’s Liveability Fund for £29,000 and a contribution by the Primary Care Trust of £20,000. The new post will become live on the 1st April 2005.
There are a number of areas identified which include, increasing the number of referrals per year, junior exercise scheme, exercise sessions for specific medical conditions, increase in patient to professional contact time at the leisure centre, and an increase in the range of activities available.
New Physical Activity & Lifestyle Co-ordinator, Andrew Connell said “ I am delighted to have got this position and I am looking forward to the challenge of helping residents in North Dorset achieve a healthier lifestyle through the scheme and beyond.”
If you have a medical condition that you feel would benefit from exercise, discuss the exercise referral scheme with your doctor at your next visit.
How can I get involved?
If you are suffering from a recurring illness or condition that you feel would benefit from you taking part in a regular exercise programme ask about the GP Referral scheme at your local doctors surgery. Your doctor will then discuss your situation with you and can then refer you to the nearest leisure centre to take part in the scheme. Once you are there, the trained staff will conduct a personal consultation, including a health check and develop with you a ten-week programme of activity based on your individual needs.
To find out more ask at your local council leisure centre or at your doctor’s surgery.
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