Exercise on prescription - patients and carer information

NHS Western Isles guidelines - In development

NHS Western Isles supports two physical activity programmes to improve your health:

  • Walk on Hebrides
  • Spring Back to Life.

Walk on Hebrides

Walk on Hebrides contributes to the local health improvement programme by providing health walks across the islands.

A health walk can be described as a purposeful walk which is undertaken on a regular basis to improve your health.

Walk on Hebrides provides support to groups and individuals who would benefit from undertaking more exercise.

This is done in two ways, either by providing pedometer packs for individual walking which can be monitored, or through a walking group. Initially it is advised that individuals join a group until they gain confidence.

Health Walks are ideal for those that are new to exercise and those that are at risk of developing lifestyle related diseases.

Group walks are suitable for all ages.

Spring back to life

Spring Back to Life is the Physical Activity on Prescription scheme. Your GP or Nurse will refer you to the scheme if they feel that you would benefit from a programme of physical activity.

A qualified sports specialist will take you through a health questionnaire and devise a programme specifically tailored to meet your needs. Your programme will consist of a 6 week block of activity with a qualified professional in 1:1 sessions or as part of a small group.

Both programmes target different groups and it is up to the health professional who refers you to decide, in discussion with you, which service is the most appropriate for you.

Participants for both schemes must be aged between 18 -75.

Which programme will I be referred to?

The following serves as a guideline only. 

  1. Those patients who would generally benefit from a more “active living” change in lifestyle with gentle physical activity and exercise. This might be someone that:
    • Has a family history of Coronary Heart Disease
    • Has Asthma
    • Is a smoker
    • Suffers from physiological stress, depression or anxiety.
  1. Those who would specifically benefit from a prescribed regime of physical activity and exercise as part of a programme to treat their clinical condition, or reduce their risk to specific disease. These include patients who have:
    • High Cholesterol
    • Late onset of Diabetes
    • Obesity
    • Moderate Hypertension
    • Impaired mobility
  1. Those following cardiac or clinical rehabilitation programmes, or those who have undergone surgery for potential life threatening conditions or diseases. This includes those:
    • Who might need to lose weight for upcoming operation such as hip or knee replacement
    • Who have had a heart attack or heart bypass.
Those patients who fall into category A will be referred to Walk on Hebrides.
Patients who fall into categories, B and C should be referred to Spring Back to Life (GPERS) or Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Further information and help

Please contact:

Your GP Surgery

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