DocSpot is a 12-week physical activity programme for adults with long-term health conditions and those at risk of developing a condition. It is a great opportunity to improve health and wellbeing through a tailored programme of physical activity. Regular physical activity can help prevent and manage over 20 health conditions.
What is an exercise referral scheme?
Exercise referral schemes aim to improve the health and wellbeing of sedentary and inactive adults who are at risk of developing or who already have an existing long-term health condition. They help to prevent and manage long-term health conditions.
Participants receive specialist advice and support from exercise referral instructors, alongside a personalised 12-week physical activity plan. The programme is designed to meet individual needs and goals. It also gives people the knowledge, skills and confidence to exercise independently beyond the 12-week programme.
The DocSpot exercise referral scheme is person-centred and offers a choice of venues and activities. It includes:
- A DocSpot Induction: A one-to-one welcome consultation with an exercise referral professional to discuss your health conditions, medication, goals and to co-design your physical activity plan. If your plan includes the gym you will also be shown how to use the equipment and select the right intensity levels.
- 12-week access to activities at your preferred venue, at concessionary rates*.
- 4 and 8 week reviews to monitor your progress, goals and update your exercise plan.
- A final 12-week review: A full assessment & review of your time on DocSpot, including achievements and challenges, support and recommendations for maintaining physical activity.
Getting referred to the DocSpot Exercise Referral Scheme could be the first step to increasing your activity levels and improving your long-term health and wellbeing.
Full information about the service can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet.
Who is DocSpot available to?
DocSpot is available to sedentary or inactive individuals aged 16 and over, who live in Solihull or have a Solihull GP, and have an existing health condition or other risk factors for disease.
If you have any of the following health conditions and would like to join please contact your GP surgery for a referral into the service.
- Cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease, stroke & high blood pressure.
- Muscle, bone and joint problems (e.g. lower back pain, hip/knee replacements, arthritis and bone-thinning).
- Diabetes or at risk of developing diabetes.
- Lung/breathing conditions such as COPD, lung disease and asthma.
- Depression, anxiety or stress-related illness.
- Cancer diagnosis.
- Overweight/Obese and requiring exercise for weight reduction.
This list is not exhaustive, so if you think you have a health condition that will benefit from being more physically active and you need support then please contact your GP surgery.
What happens after referral?
- Your surgery will complete and sign a referral form for you and will give you a copy.
- Contact the venue of your choice and book a DocSpot induction. You must take your completed referral form with you to your induction.
- Then you can pre-register and answer the participant registration questionnaire online. This will save time in your induction to concentrate on the most important things. Use this link to pre-register.
DocSpot Venues & Activities
- Tudor Grange Leisure Centre – Contact phone number: 0121 705 6371. Activities include gym-based exercise, swimming, group exercise classes, water based activities like Aqua Fit, and Good Boost. Use this link to view the full TGLC timetable.
- North Solihull Sports Centre – Contact phone number: 0121 770 3822. Activities include gym-based exercise, swimming, group exercise classes, water based activities like Aqua Fit. Use this link to view the full NSSC timetable.
- Smiths Wood Community Gym – Contact phone number: 0121 779 2986. Gym-based exercise only. Use this link to view the Smith’s Wood timetable.
- The Hampton Health Club – Contact phone number: 01675 443464. Activities include gym-based exercise and DocSpot group exercise classes.
DocSpot provides the information and support to adjust your lifestyle and be more active, giving you a helping start. It is not a ‘cure all’ for your health and will require your commitment to be effective.
Other community opportunities and home exercise options:
- Goodboost at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre: Good Boost creates personalised exercise sessions in the pool so you can move more, have fun and feel better. Ideal for people with musculoskeletal conditions and pain.
- Step into Solihull: A gentle activity programme which includes local walking groups and gentle exercise sessions (e.g. Tai Chi, dance, walking sports, seated exercise and much more).
- Living Well with Arthritis Services (NHS BSol CCG)
- We Are Undefeatable: Ways to move for people with long-term health conditions, including 5 in 5 mini workouts and Make Your Move videos (15-minute instructor led videos).
- Love to Move: This British Gymnastics Foundation programme is designed to get older people moving and functioning better, with these fun chair workouts suitable for people living with dementia.
- Couch to Fitness: Get Fit For Free, get active from the comfort of your own home with Couch to Fitness by Our Parks. Specific pre-natal and post-natal programmes are also available.
Health Professional Resources:
These documents are specifically for health professionals to help refer local patients into the DocSpot Exercise Referral Scheme. All referrals must be signed off by clinical staff working for either a local GP surgery or UHB NHS Foundation Trust.