Health Referral Scheme

Anyone can get accepted onto an Exercise on Referral Scheme with a suitable health condition that would be improved/ aided by physical activity. Conditions include, but are not limited to, asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, depression, anxiety and osteoporosis. Individuals accepted onto an Exercise on Referral Scheme must be defined as "inactive". 

Individuals who wish to be referred must speak to their GP/ Physio about receiving a referral. If the GP/ Physio wishes to refer the patient, they must fill out an appropriate Exercise on Referral Form which will be provided to the patient to take to their local fitness centre that offers Exercise on Referral. A site should NOT offer an Exercise on Referral Scheme without this form. 

The Exercise on Referral Programme is a one-off payment of £50. A reduced rate concession membership is offered to patients who complete their 8-week referral scheme. 

After the 8-week Exercise on Referral Scheme has been completed, the Exercise on Referral Instructor and the patient will have a closing consultation. The patient will be offered a reduced rate concession membership at the gym and offered an "exit" programme to provide them with guidance/ support in taking an independent approach to their own physical activity. 

All patients will be required to carry out an initial compulsory consultation with the Exercise on Referral Instructor. This is also when the patient will be expected to provide the Exercise on Referral Instructor with their GP referral form. After the consultation, patients will be required to sign up/ pay for the 8-week scheme. Once completed, an induction into the gym will be arranged and a specific programme will be designed. The patient will have access to a range of classes available, will have access to the pool facilities at The Stour Centre and will be able to book 121 sessions with the Exercise on Referral Instructor. 

Phase 4 cardiac rehab for patients who have successfully completed phase 3 of their programme is not currently available, however we are hoping to implement and have this in place by the end of the year. 

The Bio-Circuit is available to all members on the health referral scheme and utilises advanced technology to provide an adaptive experience to the patients. Each machine is connected to the patient via wristbands that, once scanned onto a specific machine, adapt all features of the machine to fit the patient. *** All patients wishing to use the bio circuit equipment as part of their referral scheme will be required to carry out a compulsory induction onto the machines with an Exercise on Referral Instructor.