February 25, 2014: For immediate release
Edmonton, AB –The nine Edmonton and area Primary Care Networks (PCN) are encouraging everyone to “Make their Move” as a new prescription program with a focus on physical activity is launched today.
Prescription to Get Active provides an opportunity for PCN family physicians to write a prescription for their patients who would benefit from increased activity. The PCNs have partnered with local municipal recreation facilities where these prescriptions can be used. Participating communities include Ardrossan, Beaumont, Devon, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, St. Albert, Sturgeon County, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove and Thorsby.
“The idea is for physicians and other allied professionals to provide patients with a written exercise prescription. This serves to provide a strong message to patients that participating in physical activity is extremely important for their health; it’s not just something that physicians and care providers say trivially. I am so pleased that this program has now been expanded to the greater Edmonton area and constitutes an incredible partnership between nine Edmonton-area PCNs and 21 recreation facilities,” said Len Frank, Executive Director of Leduc Beaumont Devon PCN.
“This initiative is a great opportunity for our organizations to work together towards a common goal of engaging individuals and families in lifelong active living,” says Rob Smyth, Branch Manager, Community and Recreation Facilities, City of Edmonton. “Our participation in the program ties into the City’s vision of creating a healthy, vibrant city and also gives us an opportunity to increase awareness of what City recreation and leisure facilities have to offer.”
“This program kicked my butt in gear to get me to start getting more active,” said patient Regine Gross.
Prescription to Get Active is based on the Green Prescription program from New Zealand and was launched locally in 2011 in Leduc by the Leduc Beaumont Devon PCN, the City of Leduc and the Leduc Recreation Centre. Based on the success, it was decided to expand the program to the Edmonton area.