Patients are referred to the programme by their GP or another healthcare professional (including Social Prescribers) to seek methods of treating long-term ailments through physical activity. The programme runs over a 12-week period and is specifically designed for people who suffer from conditions that either make it difficult for them to get active or, for whom activity would help their circumstances and their health.
The GP Referral Scheme includes:
A consultation with a qualified GP Exercise Referral Instructor on week 1, with reviews at week 6 and 12
Subsidised membership for 6 months - currently £22.49 per month (the price then increases to either our standard monthly membership charged at £32.49 per month or our concession membership at £26.99 per month)
The GP Referral Membership will give access to the gym (including Supervised Gym Sessions which take place on a Tuesday from 10.00-11.00 and Thursdays 11.00-12.00), Swimming and all Exercise classes (including our Good Boost and Forever Fit sessions). The GP Exercise Referral Instructor will offer guidance as to what classes are suitable for patients/clients
All patients will receive digital programmes to follow via the EXI Digital App that can also be tracked with smart watches. This App tracks progress and has options to record blood pressure, weight etc within it
The EXI App is set up by the patient, all medical conditions are added to the profile and a digital programme is generated based on this information. The GP Referral Instructor will be available during the Supervised Gym Sessions to offer guidance and demonstrations on exercises recommended via the App or suitable group exercise classes for the individual
For a patient to be eligible, the following criteria must be met:
Patients must be 16 years and over and assessed by the referrer as inactive in relation to ACSM’s guidelines. In this case, inactive is classified as doing less than 30 minutes of moderate activity (such as a brisk walk) two days a week and exhibit at least one of the criteria listed below. If patients have been regularly active for more than 3 months, 2 or more times a week then unfortunately they may not be accepted on to the scheme. The conditions list is as follows:
Cardiovascular disease
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes (diet controlled)
Cancer
Obesity
COPD
Dementia
Fibromyalgia or chronic pain
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Depression
Stress
Anxiety
ME
Hyperlipidaemia
Hypertension
Metabolic syndrome
MS
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Parkinson’s Disease
Stroke
Asthma
Covid-19 rehabilitation
There are certain contraindications which cannot be accepted on to the Exercise on Referral Scheme and should patients/clients present these they will be referred back to the GP (for instance those who are defined as high risk such as cardiac patients who have not completed Phase V Cardiac Rehab).