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.

[flipchart]

While these referral schemes are great they aren't for everyone. When I worked in Social Services I came across people that has been referred and they benefited because they were on long term sick and not working.

My DH has been by his Doctor to go to the gym but can't make the sessions Monday Wednesday and Friday 11.00am because he is working and self employed.
However as I suggested before other ways to skin a cat, he uses a pedometer and walks early morning and in the evening and sometimes cycles. Ive suggested to you the DVDs at home.

You said your health was important and so is your job. Thinking about your fitness creatively and you can do both.
We all have to make compromises sometimes.

[littleducks]

I can understand the disappointment and it being frustrating if you were already there. Maybe go along and soak to the qualified instructor, as clearly the receptionist isn't totally clef up on the scheme. Maybe if you explain the situation something could be worked out like attending one or two instead of six sessions and having telephone consultations or following a workout from notes they have made?

If not search and see what else is available cheaply. Local to me there is free cycle training and then a women's cycle group of some sorry fined by the council. Then there are led walking groups both in the week and at weekends which is volunteer run and also free.

I only found out about these things once I knew about others iyswim, when I went along for kids bikeability and when I saw a group walking in the park.

[littleducks]

Sorry my phone thinks it knows better than me.

Speak to the instructor
Receptionist clued up
Group of some sort

[LonesomeDove]

Thanks everyone. I'm definitely going to start by doing things in my own time and will check out other options for sure.

Nope, I don't need to go to that exact gym, but as I have a variable health condition it would have been incredibly useful to go there because it is very close to where I live - with my health some nights I will be able to go and others I won't, so I need to be flexible and can't make fixed plans. The appeal of this particular one is I could get home from work, assess how I am medically and then decide to go on the nights that I am physically in good shape.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions.

[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

[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

[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..

[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?

[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.

[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

[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!

[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]

*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

[FakeItUntilYouCakeIt]

BakerStreet! I do that too

[LonesomeDove]

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

[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?

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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).

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.