Health Professional Information

The Active Lives Pathway is a Health and Social Care initiative to support all adults in Dumfries and Galloway to be physically active.

Referrals – QuickStart Guide

Any physically inactive adult in Dumfries and Galloway can be referred to free programme of community based physical activity.

If your person in your care is eligible (please see Screening and Signposting Questionnaire) and would benefit from attending an Active Lives Pathway programme, please complete the referral form.

The Active Communities Team will contact the person in your care upon receipt of the referral form.

Active Lives Pathways – Screening and Signposting Questionnaire
Active Lives Pathway – Referral Form
Active Lives Pathway – Making a Referral Quick Guide

Further information on the Active Lives Pathway including more information on programmes is detailed below.

Active Lives Pathway Launch Video

Active Lives Pathway – Summary version

Adults who are physically inactive including those with or at risk of a health condition can benefit from a free programme of community based physical activity based on individual needs, confidence levels and motivations. An Active Lives Pathway Screening and Signposting Questionnaire has been created to enable quick and effective referral (see ‘Resource – Active Lives Pathway’ section below).

The Active Lives Pathway provides a Tiered approach to physical activity interventions. There are 5 Tiers within the Active Lives Pathway. Each Tier has a range of programme choices available which the person in your care can select in discussion with the Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Active Communities Team.

Health and Social Care Professionals regionally can refer into 3 Tiers of quality assured community based physical activity programmes (Tiers 2-4), delivered by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Professionals are encouraged to signpost to Tier 5, for people who are already physically active.


The Active Lives Pathway in Dumfries and Galloway – Overview of Tiers


Download a copy here

People referred to Tiers 2-4 of the Active Lives Pathway will receive a free programme of physical activity lasting 8-16 week dependent on Tier. People referred will receive support towards continuing their physical activity journey following completion of their initial free programme.

A summary overview of the Active Lives Pathway is shown below. More details on programmes included in each Tier plus videos showcasing activities can be found in the ‘Resources Active Lives Pathway’ section below.


The Active Lives Pathway in Dumfries and Galloway – Description of Tiers


Download a copy here


Active Lives Pathway – Screening

A quick and effective 6 item screening and signposting questionnaire has been created for Health and Social Care Professionals. The questionnaire screens out people who are physically active and those who are not motivated to be more active. The questionnaire aligns with UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines. See the Active Lives Pathway – Resources section below to download the questionnaire.


Active Lives Pathway –Referring patients who are physically inactive

There are two referral routes.

  1. People who are motivated and ready to start a physical activity programme
  2. People who require further support from a Health and Social Care Professional before starting a physical activity programme

 

  1. People who are motivated and ready to start a physical activity programme should be referred directly to the Active Lives Pathway.

One referral form covers Tiers 2-4 of the Active Lives Pathway. See the ‘Resources – Active Lives Pathway’ below to download.

All referrals to the Active Lives Pathway should be emailed to Active.Communities@dumgal.gov.uk

A member of the Active Communities Team will then contact the referred person to book them in. We will also contact the referring service to confirm the referral is being followed up.

 

  1. People who require further support from a Health and Social Care Professional before starting a physical activity should be referred to the Community Link Service within Home Teams.

Community Link Workers understand that people may have wider non-medical concerns that are having an impact on their health and wellbeing and capacity to make changes; for example; caring responsibilities, worries about the cost of living or feeling isolated.

Community Link Workers work directly with people, to help them navigate and connect with the people, places and resources in the community that may support their wider concerns. For example:

  • Local activities and social groups
  • Self-help and support groups
  • Money and benefit advice, debt management and budgeting
  • Care services and carers support groups

Community Link Worker (CLW) support is open to anyone over the age of 16

Referrals for Community Link Worker support can be accepted through Home Teams using the SCI Gateway pathway or people can self-refer through the Single Access Point tel 030 33 33 3001


Active Lives Pathway – Tier 2-4 Programmes

Please see a video example of a referral programme at Tiers 2-4 of the Active Lives Pathway.

Tier 2: Physical Activity Referral

Tier 3: Active Communities Specialist Programmes

Tier 4: Active Communities General Programmes

Active Lives Pathway – Resources

This section includes all resources and forms to screen and refer to the Active Lives Pathway.

RESOURCE DETAIL Status
Active Lives Pathway – Training Slides Training slides supporting Health and Social Care professionals raise the issue of physical activity and signpost to local programmes Coming soon
Active Lives Pathway – Screening and Signposting Questionnaire 6 item questionnaire enabling quick and effective screening and signposting to a local physical activity programme or opportunity. Active Lives Pathways – Screening and Signposting Questionnaire
Active Lives Pathway – Referral at a Glance Find out which programme is right for the person in your care Active Lives Pathway – Referral at a Glance
Active Lives Pathway – Referral Form Tier 2-4 referral form Active Lives Pathway – Referral Form
Active Lives Pathway – Making a Referral: Quick Guide Referring to the Active Lives Pathway in four steps. Active Lives Pathway – Making a Referral Quick Guide
Active Lives Pathway – Staff Information Flyer Key information on the Active Lives Pathway including eligible patient groups and types of programmes available across the region. Active Lives Pathway – Staff Information Flyer
Active Lives Pathway – Chronic Pain Information on the Active Lives Pathway tailored to Chronic Pain.  Referrals for Chronic Pain follow the standard Active Lives Pathway referral process. Active Lives Pathway – Chronic Pain

 

National and International – Helpful Resources

The Table below provides links to a range of evidence based resources to support the promotion of physical activity in practice.

SOURCE RESOURCE DETAIL
UK Government UK Physical Activity -Guidelines Guidance from the Chief Medical Officers on the amount and type of physical activity people should be doing to improve their health at different life stages.
Paths for All Movement for Health A coalition of Scotland’s leading health charities working together to champion physical activity for the prevention and management of long term conditions.
Moving Medicine Physical Activity

Consensus Statement for people living with stable long-term health conditions

Safety advice healthcare professionals should understand and provide when promoting physical activity in clinical practice to people in their care.
Moving Medicine Condition Specific Physical Activity Advice

 

(Click “Consultation Guides”)

Accessible and evidenced based condition specific information for promoting physical activity in clinical practice.
Public Health Scotland Person-centred physical activity advice Supporting people to be physically active using person-centred advice.
Public Health Scotland Physical activity referral standards This document sets out the recommended standards for the delivery of Tier 2 Physical Activity Referral.
NHS Inform Keeping Active Information on the health benefits of exercise and ideas on how to keep active.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland
Ageing Well Toolkit (for Professionals)
Ageing Well Toolkit (for Public)
The ageing well toolkit supports health and social care staff and their patients to have conversations and make informed decisions about ageing well. It also provides public advice and support on how to age well.

 

Active Lives Pathway – More information

For more information on the Active Lives Pathway please email Active.Communities@dumgal.gov.uk

Active Lives Pathway – Full version