GP Exercise Referral National Training Course
The GP Exercise Referral Scheme National Training Course has been developed to offer training to Health & Fitness instructors from Leisure/Health & Fitness facilities to operate a GP Exercise Referral Scheme from their own Leisure/Health & Fitness facility.
GP Exercise Referral Schemes enable clients with medical conditions to access leisure facilities and the specialist support they need. Schemes are an important part of managing chronic illness and preventing the onset of medical conditions. The GP Exercise Referral Scheme National Training Course provides a gold standard level of instructor training to ensure clients receive the specialist instruction needed. It is the only recognised qualification for fitness instructors who wish to deliver the HSE National GP Exercise Referral Scheme.It is highly recommended that at least two members of staff per facility obtain certification to ensure scheme delivery targets can be met in the event of annual holiday or sickness absence. Facilities that opt in to the HSE-ILAM Service Level Agreement will receive the course free of charge. For self-funded individuals or facilities that do not meet the SLA requirements, the course cost is €1495 per person.
The National Training Course
The national GP Exercise Referral training course provides instructors with the specialist training they need to help physically inactive adults and those with chronic disease become more active. Upon completion of the training course the instructor is awarded the Local Coordinator certificate. This represents three key areas;
1. Clinical knowledge; this builds upon basic exercise programming knowledge to enable the instructor to set programmes for those with or at risk of chronic disease. The physiology, pharmacology and relative impacts upon health and safety are addressed.
2. Behaviour change psychology; this is crucial to enable individual patient success. The theory of human behaviour change is learnt in a practical setting to enable the instructor to enhance their interpersonal skills and motivational change techniques.
3. Local Coordination; this is key to ensure that the instructor can manage the programme from their facility. All aspects of running the programme are covered and reinforced through the ‘Local Coordinator Handbook’ upon graduation from the course.
Course Details
The course fits in with full time work commitments and is delivered across five weekends (Friday 4pm-9pm and Saturday or 9am-5pm). The course is delivered by course tutors from leading Universities and Institutions across Ireland and is the only recognised qualification for fitness instructors who wish to deliver the HSE GP Exercise Referral Programme.
Pre-requisitesFitness instructors must hold a valid qualification as recognised by REPs Ireland and undergo Garda vetting. Facilities that do not hold the ILAM White Flag must pass health and safety audit.
Why get qualified?
To ensure patient safety and the effectiveness of the programme, gym instructors are required to obtain the ‘Local Coordinator Certificate’ awarded through successful completion of the GP Exercise Referral National Training Course. This course is the only qualification recognised by the HSE, Irish College of General Practitioners and ILAM and is compulsory if you wish to deliver the programme.
What are the benefits of offering GP Exercise Referral at my facility?
• The referred patients and their family and friends attend your facility for the first time and become regular users
• Up to 41% of Irish citizens are sedentary (SLÁN 2007) and this programme specifically targets these people in your community
• The HSE offers funded course places on the national training course and provides ongoing staff support, national resources and publicity
• Local health promotion teams are responsible for GP recruitment and ongoing support of your local GPs
• Health promotion will also provide all resources (this includes activity packs for every referred patient, appointment cards, GP resources and publicity resources)
• The up-skilled staff can offer current members and new users more, and even help increase client retention through the use of behaviour change techniques
• You, your staff and your facility become linked to a wider network and work in partnership with a range of partners to help Ireland get more active
To register your interest and receive an application pack, contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or 045 859950 and please list;
- Name(s) of Fitness Instructor(s) applying
- Facility Manager’s Name or state ‘independent applicant’
- Facility/Independent Name, Address, Email and Telephone NumberPlease send via email, fax or post:
- FAO GP Exercise Referral National Training Course
Fax: +353(0) 1 6865430 Post: Allenwood Enterprise Park, Allenwood Nth, Allenwood, Naas, Co. Kildare
What happens next?
Your details will be added to our database so that you will be automatically sent an application pack once the course dates and venue have been finalised. Check out the news page of this wesbite for up to date course date information.
