PORTAFERRY Leisure Centre is leading the way to better health with a new scheme that sees patients in Ards getting referrals for exercise rather than medication.
Patients who could benefit from regular exercise can be referred to the local Leisure Centre by their GP, where they are able to avail of the expertise of the Leisure Centre’s qualified fitness instructors who will work alongside them to develop a tailor-made exercise programme to help improve their health.
The scheme is already offered in both Ards and Comber Leisure Centre and General Manager Ian O’Neill welcomed the extension to Portaferry: “The Council is dedicated to helping local people achieve optimum health, contributing to making Ards a healthier area, and is delighted to take part in the Healthwise physical activity scheme, which has been one of our most successful partnerships, with our fitness instructors helping people in the local community to achieve better health outcomes.”
“Participants take part in an exercise programme that includes walking, swimming, group activities and training in a fitness suite, with our qualified coaches working alongside them to develop a programme and monitor improvements to their health that they can maintain long-term by setting realistic goals and establishing a routine that fits their lifestyle.”
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Margaret May who took part in the GP health improvement referral scheme[/caption]
The scheme is targeted at people who have medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure, or those who have undergone operations such as knee or joint replacement surgery, that can be improved by regular physical exercise.
Participant’s progress is monitored by specially trained coaches who they meet with once a week to review their progress.
Margaret May from Portaferry was the first customer to complete the GP referral programme at the Leisure Centre, noting vast improvements in the range of motion in her knee following cartilage and ligament replacement surgery. She said: “After my surgery, I was really limited in what I could do. For example, I found it hard to get up and down steps, but the Leisure Centre’s exercise program helped me to get my mobility back again and I can now manage steps and stairs, plus I have even been able to start playing golf again.
“I have regained the strength in my knee with assistance from the staff at the Leisure Centre, who were really supportive and made me feel at ease whilst helping me work out an exercise programme to suit my lifestyle and current fitness ability, and as a result of how much exercising regularly has helped to improve both my physical and mental health I have now joined the gym as a Momentum member and fully intend to stay at it as long as I possibly can.
“I would highly recommend the program to anyone who has similar problems and my advice is that you shouldn’t feel put off if you have never been to a Leisure Centre or possess the latest sportswear, all you need is comfortable footwear, suitable clothing and a commitment to getting healthier!”
The successful scheme is available at all three Leisure Centres owned by Ards Borough Council (located in Ards, Conber and Portaferry), for people with certain health conditions who have been referred by their GP.
Pictured: Margaret May who took part in the GP referral scheme at Ards Borough Council’s Sports Centre in Portaferry.]]>
