Five Years of Action
29 March 2010
Doctor Dale Ford (Medical Director Otway Division General Practice), Hamilton Medical Group G.Ps and Western District Health Services (WDHS) are celebrating five years of health benefits for their patients utilising the WDHS 'Community Enabler' Active Script service since its commencement November, 2004.
PATIENTS at the Hamilton Medical Clinic have been encouraged to be more physically active. Local doctors assess patients’ levels of activity and referred those with reduced recommended levels of activity to support person Cathy Armstrong, Community Health Nurse with the Western District Health Service Community Services and Allied Health Division. She offers support, information and motivation toward becoming more active, over the phone.
Dr Ford said ‘Many people who have chronic disease and other health issues, have difficulty beginning an exercise program.’ ‘The local WDHS Active Script Community Enabler service provides an excellent option of phone call support for people in the comfort of their own home.’
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‘Cathy and her program help those who will really benefit from more exercise, to begin a structured program.’ he said.
WDHS Community Services & Allied Health Director, Ms Rosie Rowe, said Evaluation of the service revealed 98% of the participants increased activity levels. ‘Participants reported more energy, not feeling so tired, weight loss, sleeping better, feeling happier, less general pain and stiffness in completing everyday tasks and increased confidence to join in other community activities / groups.’ ‘The results indicate the success of this program in reducing the risk factors for chronic disease, such as diabetes,’ she said.
WDHS Community Health Nurse, Cathy Armstrong said ‘Support is at the end of the phone.’ ‘It all starts with taking a first step, one step at a time, patience, perseverance, having fun and maybe meeting new people’. ‘Once people start, they find it really easy to keep going.’
The ‘Active Script’ brochure is available at your doctor’s surgery so ask your doctor how to be involved.
Photo caption: (L to R) Cathy Armstrong, Rosie Rowe and Dr Dale Ford.