10:20am Monday 3rd November 2008
A HEALTH referral scheme offering overweight patients free slimming classes and gym sessions has been so successful it is to be offered by every GP surgery in the district.
NHS South West Essex is extending the scheme, which has already helped 400 people.
The primary care trust will now grant all GPs in the region the powers to subscribe vouchers to overweight obese patients, which they can redeem for 12 weekly sessions at their local WeightWatchers or Slimming World club.
The three-month scheme, which can be extended to 24 weeks by GPs, also includes free access to Basildon Council Leisure and Impulse Leisure gym facilities for a 12-week period. People in Basildon, Wickford, Billericay and Thurrock are eligible.
Dr Neel Bhaduri, public health commissioning manager at NHS South West Essex, said: “Quite a few people taking part lost five per cent of their body weight.
“If people are interested, all they have to do is ask their GP.”
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