Athlone Regional Sports Centre recently hosted the formal launch of a new ExWell Medical Programme for 2022.
The programme offers community-based supervised exercise classes, as well as home programmes to people with many different long term illnesses. Participants will be encouraged to become fit and active in a friendly, enjoyable environment.
The aim of the new ExWell Medical Programme is to provide effective, high quality, safe and accessible exercise rehabilitation to those with chronic illness. The free classes are funded by the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and participants must be referred by a medical professional.
Liam Cunningham, General Manager, Athlone Regional Sports Centre, noted the forward thinking ethos of his colleagues allowing for the ongoing enhancement of health and wellbeing within the local community.
“At Athlone RSC we provide forward thinking and accessible solutions to enhance our communities health and wellbeing. The Exwell programme therefore, is a really good fit for us as it targets people within our community who have had a chronic illness and with the guidance of both the Exwell and Athlone RSC teams.
“The results of the pilot study have been very impressive and we look forward to working with Exwell, the Tullamore Hospital and local GPs to bring back smiles and improved movement into people’s everyday lives,” Mr Cunningham stated.
Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Cllr Frankie Keena, enthusiastically welcomed the launch of the Exwell Programme in the Midlands region.
“The funding of the programme by the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group/HSE is very welcomed and shows the commitment of all to supporting innovative approaches to working in the community in co-operation with other agencies and programmes and we look forward to even more positive health outcomes for the people of our county who participate in this worthwhile initiative,” Cllr Keena asserted.
Noting the rationale behind the programme, Dr Noel McCaffrey, founder and CEO of Exwell Medical, stated that improvements can be achieved by those who are referred by a health professional to participate.
“The rationale behind ExWell Medical is that a large proportion of the disability and unwellness that comes with any long term illness is caused by becoming deconditioned. At ExWell we can improve or reverse this with appropriate exercise thereby greatly enhancing a person’s quality of life.
“Athlone Regional Sports Centre is an ideal location for the programme. The indoor and outdoor facilities are excellent and the staff involved in delivering the classes, led by Edel Larkin, the Community Sports Hub Coordinator, are highly trained and fully committed to working with, encouraging and supporting chronic illness cohorts,” Dr McCaffrey commented.
How to access this service
Referrals must be made by a medical professional.
Doctors, allied health-care professionals including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses and social prescribers, can send referrals via email to [email protected] or by post to ExWell Medical Programme, Athlone Regional Sports Centre, Athlone.
The programme is free of charge and is funded by the HSE / DMHG.
For more information: www.exwell.ie
