The Darlington One Life Scheme is a health improvement programme. The scheme offers a range of referral options aimed at giving clients the skills and knowledge to make healthier lifestyle choices. Darlington Borough Council, alongside Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) and a range of local partners, manage the scheme. The scheme allows General Practitioners (GP’s) and other medical practitioners to refer individuals with a variety of medical conditions, to one of the courses offered.
Background
These programmes have been running in the current format since January 2007 but ran for many years before that as the Life Enhancement Activity Programme (LEAP) Scheme.
Central Government guidance as to how these schemes could be ran in localities, continues to be the “NHS Exercise Referral Systems: A National Quality Assurance Framework” (2001).
To date, there are a range of lifestyle interventions which the scheme provides, including:
- Exercise Referral Course – Dolphin Centre
- Chronic Back Pain Course – Dolphin Centre / Eastbourne Sports Complex
- Weight Management Course – Dolphin Centre / Eastbourne Sports Complex
- Books on Prescription – Crown Street Library
The benefits of the scheme
- Improved skills and knowledge to make healthy lifestyle choices
- Reduced risk of coronary heart disease
- Help to control hypertension
- Prevention of Osteoporosis
- Weight Management and reduction
- Reduced Stress
- Mood enhancement and increased self esteem
- Possible opportunities to reduce medication
Exercise referral
A 12-week gym based programme, based at the Dolphin Centre. The client receives a tailored exercise programme written by qualified exercise referral staff. Clients receive fitness assessments at regular intervals to monitor progress.
Chronic back pain
A six-week class giving clients the skills and knowledge to strengthen the main muscle groups of the body and increase cardiovascular fitness with low impact aerobic exercises. The class is suitable for clients who: have an acute flare-up of lower back pain, have had spinal surgery, or for those with longstanding lower back pain to improve function and mobility. Classes assist clients to regain mobility, flexibility and core stability.
Group weight management
This intervention combines nutritional advice with an ongoing exercise programme. Patients attend for 12 weeks and will learn about the balance of good health, fats, salt, sugar and food labelling. Progress is monitored weekly and fitness assessments are undertaken at regular intervals.
Books on prescription
A health professional prescribes self-help books to patients experiencing mild mental health difficulties. Reading and carrying out exercises within the books has shown to be useful in helping patients understand and treat their own problems. All the books are available at Crown St Library, Darlington.
The process
- GP refers you onto the course
- Client attends course
- Client given continual support during course
- Feedback given to GP/Referrer
Monitoring of the One Life Scheme
Local policy makers, commissioners and managers, together with primary care practitioners, monitor the effectiveness of these local initiatives to support health and well-being. All professionals involved in the scheme are trained, educated and continually developed through their respective professional awarding bodies.
What are the costs?
Most of our initiatives start around £1.50 per session.
Further information
If you require any further information about the Darlington One Life Scheme, please contact:
Darlington One Life Co-ordinator
Darlington One Life Scheme
Dolphin Centre
Horsemarket
Darlington
DL1 5RP
Tel: 01325 388904
Fax: 01325 369400
darlingtononelife@darlington.gov.uk