Edinburgh Napier University

  This nurse-led project will be an interdisciplinary collaboration between leading researchers working in Edinburgh Napier University, in the University of Sydney, and Flinders University, Adelaide Australia, nurses in NHS Fife and allied health professionals working in Fife Sports and Leisure Trust. NHS Fife have approximately 5000 patients admitted to hospital per year who have long-term conditions, and in the recovery phase these patients can be referred to a physical activity programme provided by Fife Sports and Leisure Trust entitled ‘Active Options 2’. Healthcare professionals in NHS Fife refer around 1000 patients with long-term conditions to the Active Options programme. The programme provides patients with individualised advice and support from qualified exercise instructors tailored according to their own physical abilities. The aim of the programme is to improve patients’ cardiovascular function, increase flexibility, improve muscle strength but also to enhance wellbeing, mood and reduce anxiety and depression regardless of the long-term condition the patient has. Four levels of programme are available ranging from exercise for patients who have limited standing balance to classes for patients who are independently mobile and already physically active. Of great concern, men are significantly under-represented in access to this programme, firstly they are less likely to be referred to the programme, and secondly, when they are referred, they are less likely to enroll and participate.