Exercise on Prescription scheme recognised at regional NHS awards

Exercise on Presciption

South Gloucestershire’s unique Exercise on Prescription scheme recently reached the South West regional final of the prestigious NHS Health and Social Care Awards for the ‘Success in Partnership’ category.

The Exercise on Prescription scheme was recognised for its excellent partnership work between a number of organisations including South Gloucestershire Council, NHS South Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire Leisure Trust.

The Exercise on Prescription scheme offers a wide range of activities to adults who have a health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, depression, respiratory and heart disease, who would benefit from increased physical activity or other weight management treatment. Patients who meet the criteria are referred on to the scheme by their GP or other health professional.

The activities on offer include gym and dance classes, aqua fitness and swimming or more gentle physical activities, like conservation work or joining Walking to Health groups for walks in the parks and countryside in South Gloucestershire. People have also benefited from Weight Management on Referral where they learnt to eat healthier food in order to lose weight. For patients who may have had a heart attack or stroke, a tailored rehabilitation programme is created to help them exercise and manage their condition.

Penny Harris, Chief Executive for NHS South Gloucestershire, commented: ‘Making the final of the awards is a remarkable achievement for everyone involved and demonstrates the value of working in partnership. The Exercise on Prescription Scheme has been running since 2003 and approximately 6,000 patients have used the scheme since its inception. It has been a hugely popular with patients in supporting them to improve or manage certain medical conditions’

The Health and Social Care Awards, run by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, have an established nine year history and are used to highlight and celebrate innovation and excellence in frontline health and social care.

Cllr Heather Goddard, Executive Member for Communities at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “This award is a tremendous achievement for all the staff involved with exercise on prescription which is helping residents in South Gloucestershire to lead more active, healthier lifestyles by giving them the confidence to access a range of activities including dancing, cycling, walking or a visit to the gym. More than 170 nominations were received so to make it through to the final three is something the staff should feel very proud of.”

Photo: Clare Fleming, South Gloucestershire Council’s Exercise on Prescription Co-ordinator, and Matt Pearce, Service Development Manager for NHS South Gloucestershire, collecting the Regional Finalist certificate for the Health and Social Care Award, ‘Success in Partnership’ category.

Clare Fleming, South Gloucestershire Council’s Exercise on Prescription Co-ordinator, and Matt Pearce, Service Development Manager for NHS South Gloucestershire, collecting the Regional Finalist certificate for the Health and Social Care Award, ‘Success in Partnership’ category..

Source: NHS South Gloucestershire

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