10: Expanding GRx
Initiative 10 involves expanding SPARC's Green Prescription (GRx) programme.
A Green Prescription is written advice to a patient from their health professional to be more active. This information is sent to the nearest GRx Patient Support Person (based at a regional sports trust or Primary Health Organisation) who encourages the patient to become more active either through phone calls, one on one meetings or group support.
What's happening?
SPARC manages the GRx programme and has recently undertaken an analysis of its design and future development options. This analysis suggests that the current infrastructure is a solid platform upon which to build a larger delivery model. Expansion of the programme will include:
- educating and encouraging more General Practitioners (GPS) and practice nurses to prescribe GRx;
- increasing the number of skilled GRx providers;
- providing appropriately skilled GRx providers in high needs communities (Maori, Pacific Island, lower socio-economic);
- extending the focus from initiating physical activity with an individual to sustaining and spreading that change to the wider whanau/family/ community; and
- extending the monitoring and evaluation component.
Three additional programmes of GRx Active Families were established in May 2007.
Who's involved?
SPARC is the lead agency for this initiative.
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Updated | 21 Sep 2007.
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