Case Study - Heelers A
n exercise referral scheme launched in East Lindsey in May 2007, HEELERS has to
date helped almost 3,000 local people tackle their health-related problems. Run by East Lindsey District
Council (ELDC) in partnership with NHS Lincolnshire, the programme was introduced to help people with a high BMI to become more active, cutting their risk of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, as well as associated issues such as arthritis, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. People with a BMI of over 30 – or over 28 plus a health issue such as back problems, mental illness or hypertension – qualify for the scheme. GPs, nurses and other health professionals can refer people onto the programme, which consists of 20 free exercise sessions and one-to-one support from a health trainer. Crucially there’s also a joined-up
approach, with the whole ELDC team working seamlessly to offer not only HEELERS but also a wide range of related services, ensuring each patient receives a bespoke health improvement plan. Health trainers are located in the
community, working directly with hard-to-reach families via open days and educational sessions, as well as operating within the health information room at the Marisco Medical Practice GP surgery. Food for Life offers healthy cooking lessons, taster sessions and even workshops on growing your own vegetables. Mapped-out walking routes encourage people to be more active in everyday life. And community exercise sessions and children’s programme Fit Kids are also available.
Tasty: The scheme includes healthy cooking lessons
The lady above lost half her bodyweight on HEELERS; 70 per cent of patients improve their diet
Health trainers are also used to
support the HEELERS team – for example, conducting patient follow-up phone calls.
feedback & results An impressive 68 per cent of all those who have started on the scheme are now still exercising on their own, using local facilities, with 80 per cent of these patients achieving the goals set at their initial meeting. Meanwhile, a survey conducted among
a random sample of HEELERS clients found that: • 27.5 per cent reported a reduction or change in prescribed medication • 27.5 per cent reported a reduction in the number of visits to their GP • 82.5 per cent reported an improvement in their physical mobility • 57.5 per cent reported an improvement in joint and muscular pain • 77.5 per cent reported a general sense of improvement in their health • 70 per cent said they had made improvements to their diet • 80 per cent reported positive changes in their self-esteem and confi dence Jane Goult, practice manager at the
Marisco Medical Practice in East Lindsey, says: “In 2007, the practice moved to purpose-built premises which offered,
april 2011 © cybertrek 2011
among other things, a fi tness suite. HEELERS was rolled out to more than 2,000 eligible patients and the uptake has been exceptional.” Indeed, HEELERS outgrew the
space initially provided, and within the past 18 months has moved into a fully-equipped fi tness suite with additional equipment and Wii screens, partly funded by the practice’s GPs, who fully support the scheme. “Patient feedback tells us that
they feel comfortable within the environment of the surgery premises. They can work in small groups, or one-to-one with the trainers, and do not feel embarrassed as they may do in a commercial gym setting,” Goult continues. “Patients who have worked together have built up strong friendships and have taken encouragement from each other. All GPs, nurse practitioners, practice nurses and healthcare assistants refer patients into the process and the team sees approximately 750 new patients each year. The scheme’s popularity is due to the HEELERS team, who have shown such commitment.”
healthclub@leisuremedia.com kate cracknell
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