PEOPLE suffering from conditions such as obesity and back pain are encouraged to join a new referral scheme which gives access to subsidised exercises sessions.
âThe 12-week Health Referral Scheme is run by Barnsley Premier Leisure and aims to help reduce health risks through promoting physical activity as a long term and sustainable lifestyle change.â
Individuals who meet the criteria can attend supervised and structured physical activity sessions designed to help them improve their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Health referral scheme co-ordinator Mark Goodhead said: “From 2008 to 2013, BPL was commissioned by NHS Barnsley to deliver an exercise referral scheme in Barnsley. âUnfortunately, funding for the programme ceased which meant Barnsley was one of a small number of areas in the country without an exercise referral scheme of some sort, either funded or delivered independently, offered to its residents.
“âBPL has recognised the need for an intervention of this type and having the facilities and qualified staff to deliver the scheme, are pleased to launch the Health Referral Scheme to be able to give people with low-risk medical conditions the opportunity to manage and improve their health through structured physical activity sessions.â”
Participants can either be referred by their health professional or via self-referral and will be able to attend sessions at BPL sites around Barnsley, paying either a minimal charge of £3 per session or taking out a reduced rate membership.
Mark said: “âThe acceptance of self-referrals into an exercise referral scheme is unusual, however BPL would like to encourage people who are motivated to make this lifestyle change to refer themselves into the programme without the need to make an appointment with their health professional, which alleviates any additional pressure on NHS services. âPhysical activity is a proven method in the management and improvement of many low risk medical conditions, as well as prevention of other health risk factors.”
Following completion of the programme, participants will be given a helping hand to continue their fitness journey with the offer of reduced rate BPL membership, along with no joining fee or minimum term contract.
