Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services

The Board received the report informing Members that the Exercise on Referral Programmes’ core aim was to provide individuals referred by their GP and other health professionals, with an introduction to the benefits of exercise with the aim of including more physical activity in their lifestyle.

Officers informed Members that participants with a variety of medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol and depression, learn how to exercise safely and effectively, as well as how to achieve behavioural change. By re-educating and supervising participants we aim to empower them to continue exercising regularly and thus benefit from a more active lifestyle.

Members noted that since the pilot programme began the scheme had been offered to over 100 individuals. In year one of the full scheme, 73 participants were referred on to the exercise on referral programme, of these 62 attended an initial assessment (85%) and 24 completed the programme within the statuary 12 weeks. The remaining participants referred in April 2013 - March 2014 are due to complete the programme by the end of June 2014.

Members noted that 14 participants had been referred back to the doctor due to a variety of reasons; change in their medical circumstance; being too ill to take part at the present time; non-attendance. 1 participant has been referred back to the doctor as a result of being ineligible to participate on the programme. The total number of re-referrals has decreased since the pilot programme.

Members noted that the scheme has been very well received by partners and has continued to grow and develop new partnerships. The focus for year one has been to raise awareness of the scheme with partners, increase referrals and create new partnerships. The programme is now actively receiving referrals from six different partners, with another three partners engaged and ready to refer.

Members agreed that this was an excellent programme, with good ongoing contact between the staff and participants to ensure they kept on track with their plan.

RESOLVED: That Members agreed the proposals for year two.