Exercise scheme scrapped

An exercise scheme for those with serious illnesses is being scrapped by health bosses, even though it has been used by more than 6,300 people.

NHS Barnsley has decided to stop funding the exercise referral scheme, which has helped patients suffering from diabetes, heart problems and other medical complaints, from the end of March.

The scheme is run at the Metrodome, Hoyland, Royston and Dearnside Leisure Centres and the Dorothy Hyman Stadium, in Cudworth, and offers specialist support from clinically trained staff.

Patients are referred by their GP, but GPs were told not to refer patients after January 1 because patients would not have time to complete the ten week course before the funding ended.

Julia Gledhill, business manager at Hill Brow Surgery in Mapplewell, said they were aware funding is being stopped and had been asked to stop making referrals.

"We have certainly referred quite a lot of people, and it gives them an introduction to exercise.

"We've referred people with more than one illness, or long term illness and it's a way of giving people who have never been to a gym, or are afraid to go, support.

"We've had some really good success, not just with health but also I think with people who have had low mood, or depression.

"I know people have continued to do some form of exercise after the programme has finished and I think it's been quite useful."

Barnsley MPs Dan Jarvis and Michael Dugher slammed the decision and Mr Jarvis said he would be looking carefully at what had happened to the funding.

Tim Wilson, Chief Executive of BPL said the scheme had been running since 2008, and the contract was renewed in October 2011.

He said they were informed in December that funding would cease.

"BPL are saddened by the loss of funding. We have received some outstanding feedback about the service and we are extremely proud of the success the scheme has achieved."

A spokesman for NHS Barnsley said: “This exercise referral scheme was commissioned by NHS Barnsley in autumn 2011 as just one of a wide range of other services that work with local people to support them to manage their weight and their health conditions. This particular service was only contracted for 18 months' duration and therefore is due to come to an end on March 31."