The National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) is a Welsh Government funded scheme. The Scheme target clients aged 16 and over who have, or are at risk of developing a chronic disease giving them access to high quality supervised exercise programme.
National Exercise Referral Scheme
The National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) is a chronic condition prevention and management programme which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of sedentary and inactive adults who are at risk of developing or who have an existing chronic condition. It provides a 16-week programme of physical activity to individuals referred by NHS health professionals, using behaviour change techniques to embed positive physical activity habits.
The programmes include;
- GP Referral
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase IV
- Chronic Respiratory Disease
- Falls Prevention
- Exercise after Stroke
- Chair Based Exercise
- Water Based Exercise
Once referred, patients that meet the criteria are invited to their local leisure centre for an initial assessment with a qualified exercise referral professional. They will be offered a tailored, supervised exercise programme for 16 weeks and their progress will be reviewed at key points.
You will need to be referred by a registered NHS health professional (usually your GP, Practice Nurse or a condition specific Physiotherapist/Nurse) who will have access to the NERS referral website.
The Scheme is for people aged 16 and over with, or at risk of developing, a chronic condition.
There are set inclusion and exclusion criteria, and your health professional will need to check that you meet these.
NERS consists of a 16-week programme where participants receive an initial assessment and a suitably graded exercise programme that is supervised by a qualified Exercise Referral Professional.
Activities may include a low-level circuit class or the gym and depending on local timetables, there may also be access to activities such as Tai Chi, aqua sessions or outdoor activities such as a led walk.
Participants receive a 4-week and a 16-week review and at the end of the programme they are signposted to appropriate classes/physical activity opportunities in the local community to encourage participants to stay active. A 52 week follow-up (1 year) takes place to assess if participants are still physically active in the long-term.
NB. The session cost is £3.15.
What do we do?
- We offer one to one initial assessments
- Support, advice and encouragement though our highly qualified staff throughout the scheme
- Design and guide you through the sessions, highlighting the sessions that will be most suitable for you during the 16 weeks
- Discuss long term goals and direct
How can i join?
In order to join the scheme simply speak to a Health professional - GP, Practice nurse, Physiotherapist. Your health professional will be able to confirm whether you are suitable and meet the NERS criteria.