referred to the gym

[fkelanne]

hi all, ive just asked my docters to reffer me to go to a gym, im 11st but only 5 ft. She has done the forms and ive signed it. i was just wondering
how long it take before i get the form back so i cam go 2 the gym?
Will i still have the membership to pay?
and will i only be able to go when its not peak time?

[findingmyownway]

Erm, i don't really know! Depends what you mean by 'referred'. Are you sure its not just a note to the gym to say you are healthy enough to begin a fitness programme? Is it to one particular gym? I think you will still have to pay. I can see no reason why you can't go before the letter come through though, cos usually you either sign yourself 'fit' to train or have the docs note to do it instead. So if you know the doc has said its ok then you can sign for yourself IYSWIM.

[Mojisola]

Is it for "exercise on prescription"? If it is, it should be free. It used to be available in our area but isn't any more but I think it was a local decision to stop it.

[fkelanne]

yes its like a prescription to exercise. im goin to phone the gym 2day and ask them. thanks all

[Tulip]

I have just done the same today,went to my local surgery to ask to be refered to a gym for free or a concession when I go,got to wait for a call back from a doctor later this afternoon.I am so proud I took this step.Will post here this afternoon what the outcome was :)

thanks fkelanne (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/member.html?u=128527) for this thread :)

Katie

[fkelanne]

i have to wait for a letter to come back she said it can take up to 2 weeks.

[geri1965]

Blimey, I could do with that! I am 5ft 2" and 12 1/2 stone. Do you think my GP would refer me? I don't actually have any health problems.

[angel]

Wow, I'd love to go to the gym on prescription! I could really do with it, do they have a special NHS gym?

[lewt]

i didnt know we could do this. i'll look into it

[geri1965]

Wow, I'd love to go to the gym on prescription! I could really do with it, do they have a special NHS gym?

They have nurses who whip you if you are not running on the treadmill hard enough :D

[flugellover]

Hi all!
What you are all chatting about is the exercise prescription schemes. Not all NHS area have them, as they usually depend on the NHS trust having some agreement or partnership working policy with the local council (or who ever runs the gyms). This means that the terms and conditions will be different in different areas probably - some places offering free gym, other a concession, some places indefinate membership, others more limited duration. It is a really great scheme tho, when it works!
Alternatives would be rather than have all the moneysavers making GP appointments :) have a look out for other local walking or jogging groups - in my area the walking groups are free, and the jogging groups have groups lasting about 3 months I think, for a small (much cheaper than gym membership) fee.
hope that helps :) happy exercising!!

[Tulip]

I have got a referal letter from my GP to start going to the gym :) Going to collect it today from my local surgery :) went to get it to find I need a proper referal form from the doctors after phoning two local leisure centres.


Katie

[flugellover]

sorry - maybe should have said that - you are probably going to have to see a health professional to get a referral to these systems (e.g. GP, physio, consultant)

[~daisy~]

our gym runs a gp refferal system in conjunction with our local pct - bascially its a 12 week course of various activities - circuits/gym etc etc - suitable for that age/weight/fitness level group
they pay £1.25 a session and its twice a week
the hope is that they are then inspired and motivated enough to then join the gym and carry on with exercise themselves

i think its great :)

[nat2607]

sorry - maybe should have said that - you are probably going to have to see a health professional to get a referral to these systems (e.g. GP, physio, consultant)

So you go to the docs and they prescribe it, give you a form which you then take to the local gym?
BTW, love the name ;)

[fkelanne]

i had to sign a form and it was sent off the the pct, they will ring me sometime in the next 10 day. ill keep yous all informed how i get on.

[Tulip]

Taking my referal form to a leisure centres gym I went to see yesterday later today,it looks great,There is a long waiting list though and I have to wait for 4-5 months until I can start but it wont be too long :) I rang last night to be put on their waiting list to secure my place and then they let me know by letter when to come in :)

Katie

[angel]

So just to clarify here. Do you get to go to the gym for free on "prescription" or is the GP just saying that you are fit to go to the gym?

[flugellover]

Hey Angel - yeah - you go to the GP, they refer you to the gym, and you get to go to the gym for a 'course of treatment', like if they refer you to an orthopaedic consultant. It is not the GP saying you are fit to go to the gym, more like a way of saying that the GP recommends that you become more physicially active, so it can be to help with weight loss, breathlessness, mental well-being etc... They gym will usually assess your physical abilities and advise you on a plan. Something like that :)

P.S.Thanks nat2607 :) I like the name too - refers to my hubby to B :) We met in a brass band, he plays the flugelhorn (the one Tara Fitzgerald plays in Brassed off :)) so I am 'flugellover' xx

[Tulip]

I went to my leisure centre and I am actually doing an induction next Thursday 24th April at 3.30pm so I can use the gym whilst waiting to be put on the scheme so I can tone myself up,I am so proud and cant wait to get started,its going to be a long haul but I know I can do it,I paid £8 for induction at my leisure centre so thats my latest news :) I got given a card to get the discount rate each time I go to the gym too :) I will pay just £3 a session :)

Katie

[supers]

Be careful some doctors charge a fee £15 (at my practice) for a referrel note,if your not working etc its free i think and its usually £2 or £3 depending on your circumstances for a hour session.It can be fun as well as beneficial good luck.