Good afternoon
I was not aware until a few months back that clients who have osteoporosis are eligible for the NHS GP Exercise Referral scheme to the gym free of charge.
I managed to get this referral signed by my GP and took it to the gym where a trainer took my details so that a plan of action for strength muscles etc could be incorporated in the gym.
Apparently this is a 12 week scheme.
I started on Monday (my first day) and will go again tomorrow (Wednesday) - need to keep a day’s rest in between strength exercises.
Just thought I would share as I was not aware of this scheme.
Zanzibar
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Hi,
Do you know if this Gp referral scheme is the same all over the country?
Thanks
Hi
It is’an NHS scheme.
If you go to Google and type in NHS gp referral scheme it will tell you about it.
It us a programme for 12 weeks and osteoporosis is included in the form which your GP needs to sign.
Here our GP has a social prescriber who told me about it. Our GP did not keep the firms so I had to go to our nearest gym.
Be proactive and ask your gym. The gym has a GP referral personal trainer. She gave me the form and I went to my GP to get it signed.
I told my GP I needed to do proper weight bearing and bone impact exercises and he signed it.
Thankyou that’s really helpful
Great. Keep me updated.
Also the new thing is you can call the community physiotherapist fir an appointment. I have done that. It takes a couple of months to get an appointment but it is worth it.
My physio checked my technique of sit to stand from a chair and said my technique is not good.
In addition the physio told me about the NHS GP referral to exercise for 12 weeks and told me it would help me. He told me about it.
I started gym this week doing 3 timescales week alt days for my guts, arms and good technique including tread mill.
So yes go for it. It is free and keep pressing for your weight strength and bone impact exercises.
Keep in touch. Ask anything. We are’all in it and need to support each other.
Kind regards
Thank you for the information, I’ll be trying this on Monday, explore every avenue!! Despite the fact I’ve done weight training for over 5 years my osteoporosis remains unchanged, but no fractures, much better strength and balance. I don’t think we should be put off if the numbers don’t improve, certainly quality if life does. There’s a lot of emphasis on social media about improving your bone density through weight and impact training, I don’t think it works for everyone and we shouldn’t feel it’s a failure if not, there are so many benefits!! X
True
We need to be positive and do what we can.
Glad to note you have no fractures.
Take care
Is this just for people deemed ‘inactive’. I looked at the criteria and it said the people being referred were to be ‘inactive’. Not sure whether this is the case. I hope it’s open to everyone with osteoporosis or should be. Does anyone know for sure?
The form which I was given by the council run gym stated different categories.
Inactive, over 65 years, diabetes, osteoporosis, High BM , cancer. I cannot remember other categories.
I ticked the osteoporosis section And then took it to my GP surgery to get it signed.
Kind regards
I checked out under GP Exercise Referral Information – check out your GP and your gym for this type of NHS referral:
If you scroll down, you will see osteoporosis is on the list - I ticked muscle strength and bone impact exercises needed on my referral and requested the form is signed. I left it at the reception and then called the surgery a day after. To ensure that my form was not mislaid.
Referral criteria Exercise referral schemes aim to improve the physical and mental health of participants. (I fournd this on the yorkshire NHS website) I highlighted the osteoporosis below.
Though they are aimed at people with a range of existing, low to moderate risk medical conditions, they should also be viewed as a key role in primary prevention.
The scheme is available to patients who meet the following essential criteria: ■ to moderate risk health conditions ■ Aged 16 years or above ■ Would benefit from being more physically active ■ Keen to do
The following mild to moderate health problems are recommended reasons for referral onto the scheme: ■ Overweight/ Obesity ■ Hypertension ■ Mild to moderate mental health problems (e.g. depression, anxiety or stress) ■ Diabetes I and II ■ Arthritis ■ Osteoporosis ■ Asthma ■ Post physiotherapy musculoskeletal conditions e.g. knee, hip, shoulder etc ■ Family history of heart disease.
Hope you are able to follow this up. It is free and where I live I can go anytime. I go at 7 30 am and then I am done for the day. I still do my balance and other exercises as well.
let me know how you get on.
Great. That is’ what i started on since last week.
Take care
I have been on this scheme with my local gym. It is not free entirely, you get a reduced rate for going to the gym you choose within your area. This is subsidised for one year.
Thank you for clarification
This sounds interesting and positive - I’m just a little concerned about the level of knowledge re osteoporosis that a gym trainer will have. I’m thinking particularly for those of us who have had a vertebra fracture. All the research I have done since my fracture has suggested that people with a vertebra fracture need specific advice before strength training, including the ROS guidelines. I’d be glad to to have any touts or advice re this.
Good morning
If you go on website and search for
GP Exercise Referral Scheme.
It tells you the qualifications of the trainer and information about the Scheme.
Have a word with your GP or physio regarding exercises and also discuss with the gym trainer
Regards
Hi thank you for your reply, I have had conversations with both my physio (and her boss) and my GP regarding specialist support for my spine. The response has been that sadly I am a victim of the postcode lottery that is the NHS - there are no specialist teams to refer me to in the Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire where I live. It is very frustrating when I hear about the services in London and the South East. I have an appointment with Dr Nick Birch later this month, maybe he will be able to offer some advice.
Sorry to hear this.
Hope Dr Birch can support you.
Please update us.
https://www.livelifebetterderbyshire.org.uk/professionals/exercise-by-referral.aspx
Hi just checked the website. The GP in Derbyshire can refer you according to this website. Please check.
Please request this form by email asch.llbd.info@derbyshire.gov.uk.
Just saw this on website.
Keep going. Maybe your GP is not aware.
When I went to my reception to ask for a form they did not know what I was talking about.
Also most GP practice now have a SOCIAL PRESCRIBER. She is the one who told me about this scheme.
So keep asking . You are important.
Update us