Guidance for Referral and Signposting
Here you will find everything you need to signpost and refer your patients to our physical activity programmes. If after browsing you still have questions then please call 0141 232 1860 and select the Health Professional option and someone will be able to help you. Please also call this number if you would like to receive a health professional pack with all the information and forms you need to refer your patients. All resources are also available below to download and print off for you to use.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have made it easy to assist patients in your area to become more active, through the introduction of three bespoke physical activity programmes; Live Active, Vitality and Health Walks. These programmes, designed by health care and fitness specialists, are quality assured and tailored to the needs of patients with various abilities and health conditions.
In addition our six Local Authority partners have a range of general physical activity opportunities available such as gym facilities, swimming and a range of exercise classes. There’s something everyone can take part in regardless of their current activity level, age or medical condition.
Choosing the right programme for your patient
We have provided you with summary details on each programme and created a simple flowchart and referral guidance which you can use as a quick guide to help you make your selection.
Take a look at the flow chart (pdf) to find out which programme is right for your patient.
- Live Active – for people who need some support to become active
- Vitality – exercise classes for people with medical conditions
- Health Walks – guided group local walks suitable for everyone
- General Physical Activity Opportunities – a range of local physical activity opportunities put on by the local authority
Live Active – for people who need support to become active
If your patient isn’t sure where to start and wants or needs some support to become more active then Live Active is the right choice.
View Live Active videos below:
Through the help and support of our specialist Live Active Advisors, patients will receive bespoke advice and encouragement to set physical activity goals.
Over the course of a 12 month period and through the support of our one to-one consultations, either in person or on the telephone, our Live Active Advisors will provide patients with the knowledge, tools and confidence they need to meet their goals.
A physical activity plan is tailored for each individual and Live Active Advisors help patients choose from a range of activities available to them in their local area such as Vitality classes, supervised gym sessions, swimming, health walks to name but a few. Rest assured that the Advisors have a wealth of knowledge of all the opportunities available to patients locally to become more active.
Live Active Advisors are also on hand every step of the way offering techniques to cope with setbacks if they arise and advice on how to gain the right social support to keep them on track. The Advisor will agree a personalised support plan for the patient in terms of what support they need and how often e.g. telephone calls, catch ups etc. This unique service is ideal for patients who are keen to make better lifestyle choices but need help to do so.
Patients will also be offered access to wider NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde support services including Quit Your Way.
Where
Live Active operates across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde within various Leisure Centres and Community Centres. When making a referral for your patient (see below on how to make a referral) you will be asked to select the site/venue they want to attend.
What next?
If your patient is eligible (please see referral guidance) and would benefit from attending Live Active, please complete the appropriate referral form.
Referrals can be made via SCI Gateway (please complete all appropriate fields and ensure you specify which site/venue your patient would like to attend) or by completing one of the following referral forms:
Live Active Referral Forms
- Live Active Online Referral Form A – (For patients WITHOUT established heart disease)
- Live Active Online Referral Form B – (For patients WITH established heart disease)
Please complete the appropriate Live Active Referral Form, ensuring you provide all of your contact details as well as those of the patient
The Live Active Advisor will contact the patient upon receipt of the referral form. If the patient has not heard anything within 2 weeks then please give your patient the Live Active telephone number – 0141 232 1860 and select the Live Active option.
Cost
The Live Active one-to-one behavioural support between the Advisor and Patient is completely free. Patients will only pay for the additional activities they wish to take part in.
If you are still unsure if Live Active is the most suitable programme for your patient, please check our flowchart and referral guidance or give us a call on 0141 232 1860 and select Health Professional option or email LiveActive@ggc.scot.nhs.uk for more information.
Downloads:
- Live Active Referral Guidance
- Next Steps – Are you looking to become more active? A5 Live Active leaflet for service users (pdf)
Local Authority Sites:
Live Active operates across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde within various Leisure Centres and Community Centres across our six Local Authority Partners:
East Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust
West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust
Vitality – exercise classes for people with medical conditions
Vitality exercise classes have been specifically designed for people living with medical conditions such as; Parkinson’s disease, MS, Stroke, Cardiac Conditions, Osteoporosis, Cognitive impairments and COPD. It is also ideal for those who have a fear of falling or find their strength and balance is starting to impact on their daily lives.
Vitality is delivered by highly trained staff meeting the required national fitness qualifications as well as having undertaken bespoke NHS GG&C Vitality training, delivered by a range of condition specific physiotherapists. There are various classes available within the Vitality programme each designed to build and maintain strength, improve co-ordination and flexibility meaning that your patients can participate in a safe, comfortable, and above all else fun environment. Classes last for approximately 60 minutes in total with a warm up, main section and cool down/stretch included.
Where
Vitality classes operate across Greater Glasgow and Clyde in a range of community centres and leisure centres. If you would like to find out specific class details please call 0141 232 1860 and select Vitality option, or see link below to current timetable:
Vitality operates across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde within various Leisure Centres and Community Centres across our six Local Authority Partners:
East Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust
West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure
What Next?
Please note –
If any of the questions below are answered YES for your patient, they are NOT suitable for community based exercise at this time.
- Do you lose your balance because of dizziness or do your frequently lose consciousness?
- Do you feel pain in your chest at rest or when you do physical activity?
- Do you get short of breath at rest or doing light activity?
- Has your doctor advised you not to participate in exercise?
If your patient has had a stroke within the last 6 months or has a heart condition they should be referred to the Live Active Exercise Referral Scheme to gain access to Vitality Classes – this requires a referral. Referrals can be made via SCI Gateway or by completing the following referral form (please note that Referral Form B is for patients with a heart condition).
If your patient would find it difficult to be active independently, and would require behaviour change support to become more physically active, they should be referred to the Live Active Exercise Referral Scheme – once referred they may be signposted to Vitality classes.
– Live Active Online Referral Form A
– Live Active Online Referral Form B
For all other patients ie those who do not require behavioural change support, those who do not have a history of heart disease and those who haven’t had a stroke within the last 6 months:
- Complete the following Electronic Vitality Contact Sheet and click submit. Or simply ask your patient to call 0141 232 1860 and select Vitality option.
- All new participants to the class will be required to complete a Vitality Suitability Questionnaire (like a PARQ) on their first visit. Ideally if you can support them to complete this (link below on how to get some of these delivered to you) and give it to them so they can pass to the instructor on their first visit, this will save time on their first visit. But don’t worry if you can’t – this will be completed at their first visit at the class with the Instructor.
Resource Details – direct link to ordering copies of the Vitality SQ
Any questions please contact liveactive@ggc.scot.nhs.uk or call 0141 232 1860 and select Health Professional option and someone can chat through the process with you.
Cost
A small charge for Vitality applies and is payable upon attendance. Costs vary by local authority.
For more information please call 0141 232 1860 and select Vitality
Downloads
- Vitality Suitability Questionnaire (pdf)
- Consumer Leaflet (pdf)
Health Walks – guided group local walks suitable for everyone
Walking has been described as “near perfect exercise”. Almost all patients can take part in Health Walks, so there’s no referral form needed. Walks are easy, sociable and good fun, with a volunteer walk leader on hand to encourage participants to go at a pace they are comfortable with.
It’s a great way for people to get out and about, enjoy the sights of their local parks and gardens and meet new people. No specialist equipment is required however, participants are asked to dress for the weather and wear appropriate and comfortable footwear.
Health walks are free, last for up to one hour and take place regularly at various locations across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Where
There are over 75 Health Walks every week across the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
Glasgow Life – Good Move Walking
East Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure
What next?
There is no need for a formal referral. For further information about your local walks, please call 0141 232 1860 and select, Group Health Walks.
Cost
Nothing! Almost all group led walks are free to attend.
For more information on walks in your patients’ local area, please call 0141 232 1860 and select Group Health Walks.
Downloads:
General Physical Activity Referral Contact Form
If Live Active, Vitality or the Group Health Walks are not what your patient is after, our 6 partner Leisure Trusts have a wide range of other physical options available. All you need to do is inform your patient to call 0141 232 1860 and select General Physical Activity Opportunities and they will be directed to their local Leisure Trust
More information on local physical activity opportunities:
East Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust
West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure
We have created a general contact form if your patient isn’t sure what to do or what physical activity programme would suit them best. Please complete the form if your client/patient would like a local Physical Activity Advisor to contact them to discuss how best to become more active
Please note – if you have access to your patients full medical notes and want to refer directly to Live Active, please complete a Live Acitve referral form instead (see Live Active section above for referral forms and guidance).