Active Living

Self referrals:
If an individual wishes to self-refer, you would need to first consult your GP/clinician/health professional and request that they refer via our online referral form

Community Therapists:
Is independent when mobilising (this includes walking with an aid – walker / stick / crutch)
Independent transfers from normal chair
Cognitively able to follow basic instructions
Housebound patients excluded

Orthopaedic Physiotherapist:
Is at least 6 weeks post-op
Does not require further Physiotherapy
Is independent when mobilising (this includes walking with an aid – walker / stick / crutch)
Is infection clear / scar healed

Pulmonary Physiotherapist:
Clients must have attended a Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme, or have attended Respiratory Physiotherapy

Neurology physiotherapist:
Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis
Is independent when mobilising (this includes walking with an aid – walker / stick / crutch)
Independent transfers from normal chair
Cognitively able to follow basic instructions
All conditions must be stable and controlled

Referral Contraindications:

• People who are already active - UK Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines 150 mins moderate 75 mins vigorous
• People who are already able to self-fund access to physical activity services
• Resident in Suffolk under the age of 16 years
• Unhealed surgical wounds
• Resting systolic blood pressure ≥ 160mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100mmHg.
• Uncontrolled/unstable angina
• New or uncontrolled arrhythmias
• Uncontrolled resting tachycardia ≥ 100bpm.
• Unstable diabetes
• Unstable/acute heart failure
• A recent (within last 6 months) significant change in a resting ECG, recent myocardial infarction or other acute cardiac event.
• Acute/uncontrolled psychiatric illness.
• Symptomatic hypotension/patient experiences significant drop in BP with exercise.
• Experiences pain, dizziness or excessive breathlessness during exertion.
• Febrile illness
• Active foot problem, e.g. ulceration
• Established cerebro-vascular disease
• Any unstable/uncontrolled condition
• Advanced cancer & end of life
• People who have accessed a funded referral period with Active Living in the previous 12 months. After 12 months, if the reason for referral has changed the client may be eligible for further support on the scheme
• A recent (within last 3 months) Stroke/TIA

Where possible, high risk patients should be referred to specialist exercise rehabilitation e.g. Cardiac or Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Otherwise, the procedure for dealing with high risk clients is as follows: All conditions must be stable and controlled.

The following conditions will need further advice from the referring medical professional prior to starting;
- Drug Addiction
- Epilepsy
- Schizophrenia

Each client and their conditions will be assessed on an individual basis. Only when sufficient information has been received can an informed decision be made on the individual’s case. The GP remains medically responsible for the client.

We are unable to accept new referral requests for patients who have been referred to us previously for the same primary reason for referral.

What to do next if you have one of the above contraindications:

Please speak to your health professional before you start to take part in physical activity. They will provide documentation to show that you are suitable to exercise safely and will refer you onto our programme via our online referral form.