Healthy referrals on target

The brand new "Exercise Referral Scheme" has gotten off to an excellent start with more than 105 referrals being recorded.

Health professionals have made the 105 referrals to Derbyshire Dales District Council for exercise at the authority's gyms since the scheme started.

The scheme was set up this year as a three-year partnership between Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust and the council. Patients referred by GPs, physiotherapists, nurses and other health professionals are given a tailor-made exercise programme at one of the council's gyms in Ashbourne, Bakewell, Matlock or Wirksworth.

It is hoped that the scheme will hit its target of 435 referrals and the council is well on its way to achieving that before April 2009.