Thousands of people across Wales who are at risk of chronic disease are benefiting from a national scheme which is improving their physical and mental health by increasing their participation in physical activity.
The National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) is a Welsh Assembly Government funded scheme hosted by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).
It has won the ‘Public Health Wales Good Practice national quality mark’ for its contribution to improving public health in Wales. It is the first time this award has been given to a physical activity programme.
Collecting the award, the NERS coordinator for Wales, Jeannie -Wyatt Williams said:
“I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of every NERS local coordinator. It is recognition of just how far we have come as a Scheme since our first referrals in July 2007. Today, every local authority area and local health board has a dedicated local coordinator and team of professionally trained exercise professionals. They are committed to improving the physical and mental health of clients at high risk of chronic disease by prescribing suitable activity to improve their health and wellbeing.
The Scheme is hugely rewarding and is already changing the life-chances of hundreds of people across Wales. We encourage anyone who thinks that they would benefit from the Scheme to get in touch with their local GP or local coordinator.”
NERS has been developed over the last four years to standardise exercise referral opportunities across all 22 Local Authorities and targets clients who are at risk of developing chronic disease. It provides an opportunity for people, irrespective of where they live in Wales, to access a standardised, high-quality and supervised 16 week exercise programme, with the aim of encouraging long-term adherence in physical activity to improve their health and wellbeing.
Local exercise professionals work with clients with a history of several chronic illnesses including; cardiac disease, respiratory disease, lung disease, strokes, back problems and postural stability (including falls prevention). Programmes are also being developed for higher risk patients with other chronic diseases such as mental health and cancer.
For more information about the Scheme or for a list of the local coordinators visit: http://www.wlga.gov.uk/english/national-exercise-referral-scheme/
