Leisure centre to pilot scheme (From Cotswold Journal)

Leisure centre to pilot scheme

3:00pm Friday 21st September 2012 in News

SHIPSTON Leisure Centre is making a splash in the medical world after it was chosen to pilot a GP referral scheme.

The centre was chosen from hundreds across the country to be the first to pilot a GP swimming referral scheme for the amateur swimming association.

Patients who are recovering from illness or injury can be referred by their GP to the centre where they can take part in classes or swimming lessons to aid their recovery.

People who have been referred will have a two-week induction and consultation with the swimming co-ordinator before they are put on a programme. If the scheme is successful, it will be rolled out nationwide.

Matt Timlin, senior fitness manager at Shipston Leisure Centre, said it was an “honour and a privilege” to have been chosen.

“It’s quite a small site for something to be piloted here,”

he said.

“It’s quite a big thing. Hopefully we will be able to get more people down suffering from illnesses and injuries who might not like the gym.

“Patients can come to our aquafit classes or swimming. Hopefully it will appeal to more people.”

Claire James, marketing manager for Everyone Active, which owns the leisure centre, said: “Going to the gym can be quite intimidating. Swimming is the perfect way to ease people back into activity. It introduces them in a more gentle way than a gym referral. There are a lot of people frightened to use the gym.”