Babergh has expanded its GP referral schemes to include Hadleigh, providing tailored support for residents to improve their health and wellbeing.

In partnership with local health partners and the councils' leisure providers – Abbeycroft Leisure the council continues to grow the number of GP referral programmes at their leisure centres.

Through the programmes, doctors refer patients with common medical conditions such as obesity, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes, to the councils' local gyms for a programme of tailored exercise over a set period.

Once on the road to recovery, patients are then encouraged to continue their rehabilitation and improved health through a longer-term membership.

Last month, Hadleigh Pool and Leisure became the latest to join the growing list. It will be a one-year pilot to test demand, funded by the NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group.

It builds on the already well-established programme at Kingfisher Leisure Centre in Sudbury, funded by the NHS West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group.

Hundreds of Babergh and Mid Suffolk patients have been supported via the schemes since their inception.

The schemes form part of councils' commitment to supporting residents with their health, wellbeing, and recovery post-Covid, as set out in their wellbeing strategy.

Babergh's cabinet member for communities, Cllr Derek Davis, said "Giving our residents access to the support they need to help them lead active and healthy lifestyles is vital, and the cornerstone of our wellbeing strategy.

"We cannot achieve this alone, however, so working with our experienced leisure and health partners is key.

"Increasing your levels of activity and improving your exercise routine can be a daunting task for anyone, let alone when coupled with underlying health conditions.

"That's why with tailored support from their GP and Abbeycroft Leisure, our residents can get the lasting support they need to get their health on track for years to come."

Nigel Westwell has Parkinson's and uses the GP referral scheme at Hadleigh Pool and Leisure.

He said: "Due to having Parkinson's I was very concerned about my body strength as most people with Parkinson's are susceptible to trips and falls and this was something I wanted to avoid.

"Before I joined the scheme I would often stagger when I walked, but now I have improved my strength and balance and I stagger much less.

"I've really enjoyed the sprints on the bike which have made my legs much stronger, and the upper body training has made me feel better overall. I am now able to manage my symptoms better, I'm sleeping better, and it's given me a good appetite."

Residents who feel they may benefit from a referral should speak to their GP in the first instance

Matt Hickey, Abbeycroft Leisure's health & wellbeing manager, said "We're very pleased to be a partner in this new GP referral scheme in Hadleigh as we've seen just how successful the programmes are in our other facilities.

"Seeing the improvement that movement and exercise can make to people living with a long-term health condition is extremely inspiring and we are confident this scheme will be a great success."

Dr Dean Dorsett, a GP at Burlington Primary Care and Personalised Care Lead for NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "It is wonderful to see different parts of our health and care system working together for the benefit of our citizens.

"The ongoing covid pandemic has exposed the risks of not following the healthiest lifestyle we individually and collectively can. This is truly an innovative ounce-of-prevention initiative to support Suffolk in being a healthier, happier county. True partnership working!"