A SERVICE run in conjunction with a sports centre and GP surgery to speed up patient health and recovery times is celebrating a special landmark.

The GP referral scheme run from the Moretonhampstead Sports and Community Centre recently had its 50th patient referral. The scheme has been running for just over three years, and Moretonhampstead Health Centre has just committed to another tranche of funding for the programme.

The scheme helps get people who are post-operation, getting over an illness or needing a healthier lifestyle to get back to top fitness with structured and ongoing support from a sports professional. It enables people to take up a safe and structured exercise programme, working with the centre's GP referral professional to help encourage and maintain a more active and healthy lifestyle.

Ros Carr, practice manager at the health centre, said: 'Patients at Moretonhampstead Health Centre who have been ill from stroke, heart attack, or who suffer from diabetes or other long term conditions, are able to ask about being referred to the sports and community centre to be provided with a programme to encourage a speedier return to better health, and guidance for a longer term change of lifestyle.

'The programme is available to any of our patients whom the GPs feel would see health benefits.

'Many participants have seen dramatic improvements in their health and mobility, and others have used it to help with weight loss and an improvement in general wellbeing.

GP Dr Sally Kidner said: 'Patients have been more motivated to take action and respond well to the individual programmes created for them, becoming much more positive in their outlook. They seem more determined with this kind of support to improve their health and fitness for life.'

For some, the programme has made a dramatic difference. In November 2010, Duncan Goodlad, 23, was referred by the doctors and physiotherapists at the health centre to help continue his recovery from a hip operation.

Duncan said: 'It was great to have specialists giving one-to-one advice and training, showing me how to use all the equipment correctly.

'I progressed well, strengthened muscle and regained flexibility after my operation at a rate that was far quicker than either I or the specialists thought possible. I highly recommend the GP referral scheme. You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.'

Since realising the benefits for local people of the facilities at the centre, Duncan has also given some of his time back to the community by volunteering. Being a charity, the centre relies on the generosity of its volunteers to give up a few hours each week to help keep it open.

For further information call Rebecca Tripp on 01647 440107 or Ros Carr at Moretonhampstead Health Centre on 01647 440591.