GLASGOW GENERAL PRACTITIONERS BACK WOODLAND WALKS

Glasgow GPs are encouraging woodland walks as part of a new health promotion scheme which encourages adults to become more active.

Adults who are suffering from high blood pressure, obesity, stress, anxiety or mild depression may be given a prescription from their GP or practice nurse for a series of health walks that are now operating in Drumchapel, Easterhouse and in the future, at Cathkin Braes in Castlemilk.

The project, under the Live Active Exercise Referral Scheme's First Steps programme, is the result of a partnership between Forestry Commission Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Glasgow City Council. The partnership is working closely with Glasgow City Health Walk groups, including 'Leg it around Drumchapel', and West Glasgow Community Health and Care Partnership (CHCP) to increase woodland walking in deprived areas of Glasgow. The referral scheme has been up and running since the beginning of July.

Part of the driving force behind the project is Kevin Lafferty, who has just recently been appointed as Forestry Commission Scotland's new health advisor for Central Scotland. Kevin's new role will be to develop links with the NHS, local authorities and voluntary organisations in the health sector.

Scottish Forestry Minister Rhona Brankin put on her training shoes today and joined health walkers on the referral scheme at Garscadden Woods, Drumchapel. She said:

"Our forests and woodlands are fantastic places to go to get away from it all. They are nature's own natural health service, a healthy place to be active whether it's a stroll or cycle, a long distance horseride, or a tranquil place for a family picnic.

"We are keen to raise awareness of the role that woodlands can play in the health agenda and healthy lifestyles and Kevin's new job will act as a catalyst to making this happen.

"The Live Active Referral Scheme is an enjoyable way for patients to break down social barriers to meeting new people and learn how woodland walking can be just the tonic to restore overall health and well-being."

The health benefits of getting patients off the couch into a more active lifestyle are well documented and can help improve overall fitness, weight loss and make those suffering mental health problems feel better about themselves.

Forestry Commission Scotland's health advisor Kevin Lafferty added:

"I'm really looking forward to working with the range of organisations that are involved in improving health. It is such an important issue and one that the Commission can contribute to on a number of fronts. The health walks at Drumchapel are a perfect example of how woodlands can be part and parcel of a health improvement programme and I'm looking forward to building more links like this in other parts of the central belt of Scotland."

Drumchapel Woods provide an ideal opportunity for patients to spend some time being more active in a health-enhancing green environment. The referral project aims to re-connect people with their local woodland and to get inactive adults into a routine of regular walking.

The West Glasgow Community Health and Care Partnership Development Plan for 2006/07 clearly identifies promoting physical activity as a key strand of its health improvement strategy.

Ray de Souza, the CHCP’s Head of Planning and Health Improvement said:

“Promoting activities of this nature are an important aspect of helping people to reduce their chances of coronary heart disease.

“Our Community Health Action Team based in Drumchapel will continue to promote and support the Leg it Around Drumchapel initiative in partnership with the Forestry Commission health promotion initiative.

“Live Active clients will benefit from this new venture in various ways - as well as the usual benefits of feeling better, sleeping better and improving body shape, they will also benefit from the social aspects of physical activity. “Research has also shown that woods can help reduce stress levels and boost morale.”