Sport & Active Leisure's Active Lifestyles Co-ordinator, Jessica Brodrick, is responsible for running the Authority’s Healthy Lifestyles Scheme, Passport to Health, which allows healthcare professionals to refer inactive individuals with a range of other health-related risk factors to a supervised activity and lifestyle change programme. 

The scheme is currently operating from four leisure sites in Bath, Midsomer Norton, Writhlington and Keynsham. The programme incorporates both exercise and education elements, designed to enable individuals to take ownership of their own health by encouraging them to participate in regular physical activity, healthy eating and support them in making healthier lifestyle choices. 

The education component is modelled on the Expert Patient Programme and is the first time an Exercise Referral Scheme is delivering motivational lifestyle sessions, alongside physical activity.

Passport to Health will contribute to B&NES Primary Care Trust, Bath & North East Somerset’s Sport and Active Leisure and the Government’s Choosing Health Targets to:

• Reduce the number of adults aged 15-75 with a BMI over 30
• Reduce the death rate from coronary heart disease and related diseases in people under 75 by at least 2 fifths by 2010
• 50% of the population regularly physically active by 2020 (30 minutes x 5 times per week)

For any further information please contact Jess Brodrick, Active Lifestyles Co-ordinator on 01225 396427 or Jessica_brodrick@bathnes.gov.uk

If you are a healthcare professional and would like to make a referral, please download a copy of the reference guide which explains everything you need to know and provides all the relevant paperwork.