To feel upset and pissed off by this impossible NHS gym referral scheme?

[LonesomeDove]

I have anxiety, so I am bearing in mind that I'm maybe blowing this out of proportion, so thoughts are welcome.

I got a referral letter from my GP for a local gym because of anxiety and also high cholesterol. Problem is, at the minute I wouldn't have the £6 needed to go twice to the gym (work part time atm) but with a bit of luck I should be going full time at work in about a fortnight and the gym is something I want to prioritize with my extra money.

So I called the gym today and asked for an induction. There's a cancellation today, so I was delighted and went over. They photocopied my GP letter and I started the induction, then suddenly the instructor stopped when he realised I was on the GP referral scheme and said he wasn't qualified, it had to be another instructor. Ok, I said. Then the staff member at reception handed me another form and said it needs to be filled out by the GP, my letter won't do. Once I get that back from GP I can book in with specialist instructor, and I have to do six sessions with her. But she only does sessions on Tuesday and Thursday between 8 and 4.

This means now I have the money to do the GP referral scheme I won't be able to do it. Because I'll be at work. I asked how people are meant to do it if they work full time, and the person behind the desk said 'oh take time off, if it's for your health..' and shrugged her shoulders.

I am fucking pissed off. As if I can start a new job and ask if I can start an hour late to go to the fucking gym. So frustrated. This just makes it inaccessible for people who work full time :( and I don't have the money for their extortionate regular membership. I wanted to use the gym to build confidence to run outside, I really am not at the place where I can start running outside yet.

It just seems if you are poor to begin with and have health difficulties everything is a catch 22.

[happygirl87]

OP I sympathise- had a serious injury plus surgery which lead to 2yrs plus of pain- when my referral for specialist physio eventually came through it coincided with starting a new job. I told my line manager that I had these appts booked for one morning per week for the first four weeks of new job, and asked if I could make up the time later that day/ over the week- and they were fine with it. You can only ask, and esp as it will only effect 6 working days they might be fine. Good luck!

[FaceDirectionOfTravel]

Our local exercise referral is to classes that run 2 til 4 pm, effectively cutting out those who have to do the school run. Lovely.

[whatever5]

I have just realised that I would be eligible for a GP referral but in my area you don't get a discount for the gym/leisure centre. It seems a bit pointless and I doubt that the scheme is very popular.

[wishingchair]

DH goes to the leisure centre and is in the gym. He meets the specialist trainer there and they put him through the exercises he needs as a result of his condition. He's knackered when he comes home. No sauna and no pool

[junetoseptember]

Thank you softly . It was only for a fixed period and I can't afford to pay for more sessions sadly, but I do try to keep up some physical activity at home as it helps when I can manage to do it. Glad it is helping your DH.

[softlysoftly]

June we are funding DHs gym though we can't really afford it because he has been finding life challenging recently through stress and feeling down (not diagnosed) found it helps him relax and he is fitter but no, its not a magic bullet sadly as the core issues just don't go away do they so my thoughts are with you.

[junetoseptember]

In my case I was referred for my mental health, I had no physical problems. It was just at our council gym but run by a private company. It has helped my mental health but I'm not sure if it's saved the NHS any money as I'm still a regular user of MH services.

[wishingchair]

My DH has them due to a neurological condition whichever is causing muscle weakness and balance problems. It is similar to a Physio session so don't see the difference between it being referred via NHS to the local council leisure centre or an NHS Physio coming out to visit.

[softlysoftly]

OK but its monitored that you have to participate properly? Because I know if I was prescribed gym sessions i'd spend my lazy arse chilling in the sauna and floating around the pool (much like I did when I could afford gym membership).

[whatever5]

Softly-the scheme is aimed at people who are considered to be at high risk of heart disease, diabetes etc. If their risk of these diseases is reduced by exercise, the NHS will ultimately save money.

[susiedaisy]

Softly. It's called exercise on prescription you pay a reduced fee to join council run gym/swim/classes and have an exercise regime planned out for you depending on your health/weight etc. you also have a meet up with your allocated instructor once every six weeks for a weigh in and review of how things are going. It's not free unless you are on full benefits.

[FakeItUntilYouCakeIt]

Our council gyms are run by private companies now anyway. And it probably doesn't cost the NHS much as no bugger can get to gym at the times required!

[softlysoftly]

Hang on GPs prescribe gym sessions now???

How much does that cost! Just community /council gyms or actual Gyms like David Lloyd or something?

[LonesomeDove]

Haha that is hilarious I might have to adopt that technique!

[FakeItUntilYouCakeIt]

BakerStreet! I do that too

[BakerStreetSaxRift]

*Lonesome, don't forget when you're out running (or walking/running) people who see you have no idea how long you've been running before they see you stop and wheeze

If off rely let myself down and speed after 5 mins, I'll sometimes day to DP loud enough so nearby people can hear, "just over an hour, God, I'm knackered, that was good"

Instant respect from random passer-by who probably wasn't listening and hasn't even noticed me

[LonesomeDove]

Thanks again for all the ideas! Some good plans here to look into. I'm certainly not going to let it stop me working on my fitness - I suppose it just riled me because I feel the service is there in name only, it's probably costing the NHS a ton in admin fees of some nature and it's virtually useless to the likes of me. There are bound to be a lot of people in my situation - like Missymarmite above had a similar rigmarole. Anyway I poured all my frustration out here so thanks for the help!

As an aside, Flipchart I don't ordinarily struggle with confidence in the day to day, I am quite body confident and relaxed in my own skin. It's just I'm terribly unfit and crap at anything vigorous. I view the gym as the most friendly option for an unathletic person like me - like a safe little bubble where everyone is too focused on their own workout to bother noticing me with a face like a burst tomato so that's why it appeals until I can run in the park somewhat gracefully.

[BakerStreetSaxRift]

I'm sorry, but I agree with you OP, it's ridiculous to suggest that you take time off work to go to the gym. Anyone who thinks that is okay sounds like the sorry of person who happily scheduled dentists appointments for 1130 and doesn't make it into work until 2pm.

It's taking the piss.

Now, could you potentially walk some of your commute Home some nights to start the exercise regime? Eg do you get the bus/train and can get off a stop or a few earlier? Or can you bring trainers and go for a brisk walk at lunchtime?

The exercise forums on here are great, and look at C25K.

Good luck!

[justtoomessy]

Oh FFS just go out for a run/walk when you want to. The fresh air will do you good and not bloody instructors or time limits

[Wantsunshine]

You are right this is a rubbish situation and as with most services on the NHS are no good for people who work and certainly next to useless if you commute. I can understand why you can't just swan off in a new job to do this.

[flipchart]

To be honest, if you are struggling with confidence do you think going to gym at peak time would be the best thing for you?

[whatever5]

I don't think they assume that if you are fat you must be unemployed or a pensioner. The scheme probably only pays for off peak time at Gyms to keep nhs costs down..

[missymarmite]

Yadnbu. I had I similar issue back along. Gp referred me to gym for health reasons, to help me lose weight. The only gym locally could only offer sessions during the week in the mornings, which basically meant I couldn't go as I work full time. I said to them at the time that it was stupid, but I think they assume if you are fat you must be unemployed or a pensioner

[Raskova]

£11 pay as you go seems extortionate.

Last time I went to a gym PAYG the lady asked me how much I usually pay. I said a fiver, truthfully and she said ok.

Would you be brave enough to ring them and haggle on price? I see why you wouldn't want the fixed price ones but some gyms are so cheap. Near me there are three off the top of my head which are £15 or less PCM. I currently pay 26 and get use of a swimming pool and all other stuff