GP referral scheme being promoted by Moyle Council

The report said: ‘The GP Referral Programme has been in place for a few years within neighbouring Council areas, however up until Council’s proactive decision to update our Fitness Suite Provision we have not been in a position to initiate the programme.

‘The new provision offers longer opening hours and staff to monitor and advise regarding a suitable programme. The SMART Card System will also be able to track the client’s progress with regard to adhering to the programme and their progress to attain agreed goals.

‘The programme required staff training to facilitate the GP Referral Scheme. Staff training has now been completed to initiate the scheme which will initially concentrate on clients with Mental Health and problems with Obesity.’

And councillors were also briefed on another scheme called ‘Fit Families’.

The report said: ‘Funding has been secured to host the above initiative which caters initially for four families with four participants attending from each family. The families have been identified and will be referred to the scheme by medical professionals and be mentored by trained staff. This is a relatively new initiative and 1,980 has been secured to fund the programme.’