......become active and feel healthier in your everyday life!
The Derbyshire Health Referral Scheme is a county wide overarching exercise referral scheme which ensures that there is opportunity and access to a Health Referral scheme in every district authority in Derbyshire.
The aims of the scheme are:
To improve the standard of health for individuals who have been recommended by a member of the Primary Health Care Team as being suitable for developing their fitness/activity levels and general well being through appropriate regular exercise.
To encourage people to take greater responsibility for improving their own health by pursuing a more physically active life style.
You can access your local scheme at the following venues
Amber Valley - William Gregg Leisure Centre (Heanor), Alfreton Leisure Centre, Ripley Leisure Centre, Belper Leisure Centre
Bolsover - Creswell Leisure Centre, Welbeck Road Health Centre (Bolsover)
Chesterfield - The Healthy Living Centre (Staveley), Queen's Park Leisure Centre (Chesterfield)
Derbyshire Dales - Ashbourne Leisure Centre, Wirksworth Leisure Centre, Matlock Lido, Bakewell Swimming Pool
Erewash - Rutland Sports Centre (Ilkeston), West Park Leisure Centre (Long Eaton), Friesland Sports Centre (Sandiacre), Green Spires (Ilkeston - only for Cardiac Phase IV Rehab)
High Peak - Chapel Leisure Centre (Chapel -en-le-Frith), New Bodies (Buxton), New Mills Leisure Centre (New Mills)
North East Derbyshire - Sharley Park Leisure Centre (Clay Cross), Eckington Swimming Pool, Dronfield Sports Centre, Killamarsh Lesiure Centre
South Derbyshire - Greenbank Leisure Centre (Swadlincote), various community venues
You can find out more information from your local authority leisure department.
If you would like further information about the programme please contact the Health Referral Administrator on 01773 525000
How do I get on the Scheme?
To have access to the scheme you must visit your local surgery that is taking part in the scheme and ask a member of the Health Care Team to refer you using the appropriate referral form.
Who can refer me to the Scheme?
Any Health Practitioner at participating surgeries such as a GP, Health Visitor, Practice Nursing staff, weight management advisors, primary care mental health teams, stop smoking advisors, physiotherapists.
There are criteria for you to be referred to the scheme, these are:
- Weight reduction for a body mass index of 30 plus
- Stroke (CVA)
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes (type 1 & 2)
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) / Asthma
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
- Social / Mental Health / Depression
-
Mobility Problems
(The above reasons are under the discretion of the referring practitioner)
The scheme is run over 20 sessions which can be taken over a 15 week period. You will see an exercise officer at the start to discuss your physical activity likes and dislikes and jointly agree a realistic and achievable activity plan. Any medical conditions are discussed and appropriate forms completed. A development record is issued for you to record your activity levels. You will be given a programme of activity leaflet where you can attend group sessions and supported supervised classes taken by staff at leisure facilities or attend any of the individual activities on offer.
At the end of the 20 sessions, any changes in activity levels, body measurements, confidence, motivation, will be recorded. You can discuss what to do next with the Exercise Officer/Instructor and will be encouraged to keep on going with any activities you were doing throughout the scheme. A brief report will be submitted to your surgery to inform them of completion and progress. You will then be encouraged to continue to exercise and given lots of ideas of how to keep up the good work.
As part of every scheme there is now a Physical Activity Health Trainer who works alongside the GP Referral staff. the Health Trainer's role is to help support those people who maybe finding it difficult to stay motivated or are just needing a little more support or information.
To read two examples of how Health Trainers have helped keep two participants active read on...
The cost of attending the programme will vary depending which district you live however all schemes are subsidised.
