Health-
Lifestyle Programme
Quick Links:
• A Brief Summary • Download the Lifestyle Programme Leaflet • The Current Referral Process
• Activities available • Statistics to the end of October 2009 • Contact a Lifestyle Coach
A Brief Summary
The Lifestyle Programme started with 10 FTE Lifestyle Coaches and one Lifestyle Programme Manager. The number of L/S Coaches has been increased in two stages to give 20 FTE Lifestyle Coaches as from September although the latest recruits will not be fully operational until January.
All are from Stoke and surrounding areas and have been employed for their life experiences and ability to communicate.
The new coaches undertake a full 3 month training programme before being allowed to be involved with clients. This includes a two week accredited course specifically for the NHS lifestyle Programme delivered in this area by Newcastle College. All Lifestyle Coaches have to pass the examination at the end of the course and pass a role play (one hour plus first client meeting) with an external assessor.
The remaining training period includes:- team building, community mapping/orientation, Cycle of Change, Obesity/Physical Activity/Healthy Eating, Various clinical sessions, Drugs, Smoking Cessation, Positive Thinking, Lone Working, Diversity, Vulnerable Adults, Confidentiality, Hub and n-drive training etc.
Once the main training is completed the new LS coaches sit in with existing coaches and their clients (with the client’s permission) to see the Programme in practice for several sessions. They are then allocated their own clients and a more established coach will sit in on the first sessions for these clients to give feedback.
There is regular monitoring of sessions by the Lifestyle Manager and we are now moving towards peer review.
Regular training and updating sessions are ongoing and in addition several of the Lifestyle Coaches have undertaken further training pertinent to the role, some accredited, to enable them to become more specialised in certain areas. These include:- smoking cessation, walk leader, nutrition/healthy eating, exercise, diabetes, etc.
The team is managed by Marion Beloe, a highly qualified nurse/manager who is therefore able to match clients to particular Lifestyle Coaches and their specialism and also liaise with health Programme professionals.
Currently, clients have to be referred by their Doctor, Practice Nurse or the Primary Prevention Team. We are now encouraging the PCT to enable clients to be referred direct by Cardiac Rehab, Diabetic Clinic and Dieticians. Currently, although people are in the NHS system they still have to go back to their doctor to be referred to the L/S programme.
At present the Programme is not yet offered in the South of the city. This should have been rolled out in the summer but has been delayed.
The L/S Programme is still taking shape and problems still being overcome. Obviously the Programme is in its infancy and working to overcome various issues and problems that are still cropping up. Clients are on the programme for a year but can be signed off earlier and we are only just in the process of reviewing the first clients on the programme. Effectively the first clients were taken on in September/October 2008.
There will be more changes to come with the move towards practice based commissioning and the very different Public Sector financial situation as well as a possible change in Government.
Download the Lifestyle Programme - PDF Download
The Current Referral Process
The referrer assesses the patient’s motivation to make changes and if they feel the patient is ready to make lifestyle changes, they complete a referral form which is sent directly to the Programme Manager.
A dedicated Lifestyle Coach will then be assigned to that person and they will make contact within 5 working days to arrange a first meeting.
All contact with the Programme is confidential; however a regular progress update will be given to the GP practice.
The programme is designed to offer 1 to 1 support through the client’s lifestyle change (s).
They are helped to develop a ‘Health Action Plan’ based on the changes they wish to make.
Several face to face and telephone meetings will take place over a 6 month period, although they can be on the programme for up to one year. The first meeting is face to face and lasts between 45- 60 minutes.
Progress reviews take place at 3, 6 and 12 months.
There is a flexible approach to meeting times and the location of the meeting where possible.
Self-motivation is key.
Clients can be signposted to a range of suitable local activities free of charge to help them achieve their goals
Activities available
- Weight management sessions – 12 weeks of free vouchers for a local Weight Watchers or Slimming World group.
- Physical activity sessions – a free 20 week programme offers opportunities to take part
in various local activities such as walking groups, gym visits, swimming, gentle exercise to music etc.
At the end of the 20 week physical activity sessions clients will be entitled to an Energiser Plus card which offers up to 50% discount at City Council operated fitness / leisure facilities across Stoke-on-Trent.
- Cook and Eat sessions – practical sessions to increase knowledge, skills and confidence
in preparing and cooking healthy meals.
- Positive Thinking – Three 2 hour workshops to explore health and well being and the effects on lifestyle.
- Smoking cessation – advice and support to help clients, including referral to the Stoke-on-Trent Stop Smoking Programme should further help be required.
Lifestyle Coaches also have access to a wide range of helpful information and support Programmes which may be of benefit to clients.
As some clients are very wary of a first visit to any activity, the LS Coach concerned will meet them at the venue if necessary and stay for the first session.
Statistics to the end of October 2009
- Total number of referrals received 1,747
- Number signed off 227
Currently there is a ‘randomised control trial’ being undertaken by the PCT where certain people are being seen through a six month period and have priority in being seen by the L/S Coaches due to the shorter duration.
As we give all L/S Coaches an overview of what the sector offers, they regularly use community centres etc. for their first meetings and where they feel it will be beneficial, will refer clients to the relevant voluntary sector organisation.
These include: MIND, Breathe Easy, Arthritis Care, Age Concern, Dove Service, Approach, Savana, Echo, BOSPA, and ADSIS.
The ethos of this programme is clients having the opportunity to talk to someone who actually listens to them, shows an interest and helps them decide for themselves what they feel able to change in their lifestyle to make a difference.
The Lifestyle Programme in Stoke is now seen as the Beacon Service within the West Midlands.
Contact a Lifestyle Coach
Ann.Williams@stoke.nhs.uk
Deborah.Barnett@stoke.nhs.uk
Lorraine.Beeston@stoke.nhs.uk
Susan.Foulkes@stoke.nhs.uk
William.Hamilton@stoke.nhs.uk
Sharon.Heath@stoke.nhs.uk
Jan.Peters@stoke.nhs.uk
Yvonne.Rowland@stoke.nhs.uk
Andrew.Shingler@stoke.nhs.uk
Paul.Bowcock@stoke.nhs.uk
emma.ogle@stoke.nhs.uk
tracy.turley@stoke.nhs.uk
natalie.rashford@stoke.nhs.uk
karen.butcher@stoke.nhs.uk
jill.humphreys@stoke.nhs.uk
David.Box@stoke.nhs.uk
Trish.Burgess@stoke.nhs.uk
Sarah.Matloob@stoke.nhs.uk
Jacqui.Grocott@stoke.nhs.uk
Marion.beloe@stoke.nhs.uk
