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Green Prescription
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A Green Prescription is written advice from your doctor (GP), Practice/Public Nurse and other health professional to be active. The aim is to improve your health and feel better at the same time through physical activity. The Green Prescription Programme is a free service offering support for a period of 3-4 months. Your support person will help you find places where you can do the kinds of physical activity you enjoy for example:
- Walking is convenient, safe and inexpensive. Walk on your own or in a grou
- Swimming or aqua-fitness is good for almost everyone - especially people with arthritis
- Dancing: try something new and enjoyable
- Vacuuming the floor, washing the car, mowing lawns, collecting pipis - all good exercise
Who can do it?
Anybody who is interested in increasing their physical activity can go on the Green Prescription programme. Often people referred to us have medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity or mental illness.
How do you get a Green Prescription?
- The health professional (GP or practice/public nurse) gives their patient a Green Prescription (GRx), provided the patient’s medical condition is stable.
- The script is either written or issued electronically. If the patient wants ongoing support for 3-4 months, the script is faxed through to the nearest GRx Patient Support Person.
- The Patient Support Person provides phone support and encourages the patient to become more active.
- The patient’s progress on their path to an active lifestyle is reported back to the prescribing health professional.
- If after 3-4 months the patient feels they would benefit from ongoing support, they are encouraged to ask their health professional for another GRx.
For more information on Green Prescriptions, please visit the Ministry of Health website: www.moh.govt.nz/greenprescription
Sport Waitakere no longer hold the contract for Green Prescription Patient Support. Please call Kay Lindley at HealthWest for any information regarding Green Prescription. HealthWest: 09 839 0556
