Patients with long-term health conditions can now be referred to the NHS Active for Life service. This is a 12 week supported activity programme run by Zest in Sheffield, offering free community based walks.
Eligibility
Patients who lead an inactive lifestyle (less than 2 x 30 minutes of exercise per week) with at least one of the following conditions can be referred to Active for Life:
- cardiovascular disease
- diabetes
- mental health issues
- pulmonary disease
- obesity (BMI>30)
The programme
The programme will require patients to:
- attend 12 walks
- receive lifestyle advice (about getting active and healthy eating)
- be supported by a trained Walk Leader
Walks will be offered from a range of locations and on different days (including Saturdays) and times of the day (including evenings during Spring and Summer months).
Those patients for whom a walking programme is not appropriate may be offered a 12 week supported programme at a gym.
Referral
To refer a patient, you will need to complete and sign a referral form. Your patient will then need to present the completed referral form to Zest either via post, fax or in person.