Wokingham

Local Wokingham doctors and other health care providers will soon be prescribing an official course of exercise for people with certain medical conditions including obesity, asthma, mild depression and arthritis, thanks to a new scheme set up in partnership between Wokingham District Council, Leisure Connection and Berkshire West Primary Care Trust.

Patients in the Wokingham district can now access facilities in three leisure centres in the district as part of a GP exercise referral scheme. Called ‘Active Wokingham’, the scheme is being launched at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre on October 30 and gives patients the opportunity to exercise and make positive changes to their lifestyles, which will have long-term health benefits. The benefits of the scheme include enhancing patients’ quality of life and well being, reducing the use of medication and encouraging patients to become more responsible for their own health.

Instructors at Loddon Valley and St Crispin’s leisure centres, as well as the Wokingham Carnival Pool, are now qualified as exercise referral consultants and they will be on hand to give those patients who are referred by GPs an exercise programme tailored to their individual needs. The first appointment will last approximately one hour, followed by an equipment induction in the gym and personal exercise plan. They can use all the centres’ facilities including squash courts and swimming pools and can attend group fitness classes.

The district council will provide all GP surgeries in the district with details on the referral scheme for their patients. It is then the patient’s responsibility to contact the leisure centre they choose to attend and organise a fitness programme for 12 weeks. The cost to the patient is £25 a month for a 12-week period.

After being re-referred, they will be entitled to a £20 a month membership if they sign up to a 12-month contract.

Cllr Dianne King, executive member for Wokingham community development, said: “Exercise referral schemes are an excellent way for the district council to work with health professionals and fitness providers to help patients make positive changes in their lives to ensure long term health benefits.

“This scheme is for patients who have been referred by a doctor and advised to take some form of exercise which will benefit their health or medical condition. We all know that regular exercise is a great way to keep fit and healthy and the Active Wokingham scheme is an ideal introduction to sport and leisure activities provided by your local Leisure Connection centre.”

Janet Kent, senior health promotion specialist at Berkshire West Primary Care Trust said: “We now have enough evidence to support the claim that exercise assists good mental health. Gym sessions, cycling and walking can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Through the exercise referral scheme we hope to empower people into much better health.”

Leaflets containing details on scheme are available on Wokingham council’s website at: www.wokingham.gov.uk or by calling (0118) 974 6254. Doctors can also give advice about the scheme.

Wokingham District Council