Exercise referral leaflet.qxd - Dorsetforyou.com

What is exercise referral?Exercise referral enables doctors and medical professionals to referexercise to suitable patients. This helps to put you (the patient) in touchwith designated staff at leisure centres who can help you to plan aprogramme of appropriate activity. These staff will provide you with aprofessional, understanding and confidential service.Who are exercise referrals for?If you have received this leaflet from your doctor with an exercise referralform, then you can take it that you are someone whose health stands toimprove considerably by becoming more active. Many people with healthconcerns are unsure about what they can safely do, so the scheme willprovide an opportunity for you to receive advice and support to help youbecome more active.Who runs the scheme?The scheme is a joint venture between the South West Dorset PrimaryCare Trust , the Leisure and Tourism Division of West Dorset DistrictCouncil, and the five leisure centres in West Dorset (see opposite page fordetails).Why be active?Activity makes you feel good and look better, it keeps you fitter and givesyou more energy. If you are active you can manage your weight moreeasily. It helps you to prevent illness and disability and can help you tomanage existing conditions and disabilities. Being active is a great way tobe with friends and make new ones and it is good fun!By increasing the amount of regular physical activity you do, you arealready taking steps to improve your health. If you would like to do moreto benefit your health, such as improving your diet or stopping smoking,ask the staff at the leisure centre for information.What do you do now?Telephone or call in to one of the centres listed to make an appointmentto meet with the exercise professional. Take along the white referral formthat the medical team gave you and hand to the exercise professional atyour first meeting.