Highland Active Referral Scheme

 

 

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The Highland Active Referral Scheme is a healthy lifestyle initiative whereby participating health professionals can refer their patients who meet a certain agreed criteria to be accepted on to the scheme i.e. living a sedentary lifestyle where their lack of physical activity has or is likely to affect their health, mobility or has greatly reduced their physical capabilities. The scheme is operated in partnership between participating health and fitness facilities and activity operators, General practices, physiotherapists, mental health, social work support workers and Highland health promotion department.

The scheme was originally set up in the Invergordon / Alness practice area and co-ordinated by the  Invergordon / Alness practice,  Averon Leisure Centre,  Invergordon Leisure Centre and Highland Health Board (Health Promotion Department) and has been operating successfully since April 1996. The scheme was used as a model to launch the scheme highland wide and is now available at certain participating practices / facilities throughout the Highlands.

 

What is the Highland Active Referral Scheme?
The scheme is about helping people who are most at risk to enjoy a more active lifestyle.

GP's Physiotherapists, Practice nurses, Mental health carers Etc. are always in contact with patients whose health could benefit from increasing their level of physical activity.  If your GP or health professional feels that you could benefit, then they will refer you onto the Active Referral scheme. This entitles you to reduced rate for access to activities which you will very likely enjoy, and would benefit your health.

Your GP or practise nurse will screen you beforehand to make sure you are well enough to take part in physical activity.

Who can participate?
Any patient who fits the criteria and who is registered with one of the participating practices.

What if I've never done any exercise like this before, or for a long time?
That doesn't matter. What's important is that you've decided to start now.  Your referring health professional and the Referral Programme Consultant at your local leisure facility will prescribe a suitable courses of activity for your specific fitness needs and encourage you, and provide you with guidance and support in helping you get going. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll feel the benefits and realise what you've been missing out on.


What happens next?
your GP completes a referral form and refers you (voluntarily) to a local participating facility, depending on availability and your preferred choice. You are given this form plus some information about the scheme which you take away. You then arrange an appointment with the faciliy R.P.C (Exercise Referral Programme Consultant) contact numbers will be included.

An initial consultation date is agreed between yourself and the RPC. At this session the RPC will discuss your referral details and ask for any other information not included on the form that they see relevant to devising a suitable activity programme for your particular needs and preferences. All information that you share with the RPC will be kept in the strictest confidentiality. 

The 2nd Visit to the Facility (the 1st activity session)

The very first visit to a fitness based facility for most people can be quite a daunting hurdle to jump, if you are hesitant, Just think of this, the vast majority of people who attend fitness sessions whether it be in fitness classes, use of a fitness suite or personal training are there because they need to be for sake of their health. In other words not everybody who attends these type of sessions are the athletic sporty type. Your first activity session will be very limited in how much actual physical activity you will be expected to do. This session is normally in the fitness suite and will be a standard induction on how to use the equipment that has been selected to be part of your programme.

What do I wear?
There's no need for expensive or fashionable clothing. For swimming, all you need is a costume and towel. For the Gym you need a T Shirt, shorts or tracky bottoms, socks, trainers and a towel. Oh! don't forget 'WATER' You need to be comfortable.


How often do I attend?
How long you take to complete your 12 sessions depends very much on how often you are able to come and how physically able you are. 

What happens after 12 sessions?
After this you go back to your GP and discuss the benefits of the exercise.  If you are feeling better, then you can continue on a normal programme of exercise to suit your needs. You just return to the facility and the staff will continue to encourage you with your goals.


What are the benefits?
There is no doubt that changes in how active you are and what you do, including regular exercise, help you to feel better, be more positive and reduce the risk of disease later on. Previous patients have commented on 'feeling more lively', 'losing weight', 'firming/toning up', 'reduced stress', helped me sleep better' & 'gave me more energy'. This programme can be the start of a new you!

Once you have started, there'll be no stopping you               Back to Top