Elaine Scale is well-known in Pembrokeshire as a very good all-round sportswoman but she would admit that she plays less sport these days for a very good reason – she is so busy in her key role as the Pembrokeshire Exercise Referral Co-Ordinator.
 
Her role is to work with all the general practises across Pembrokeshire, plus Whitland and some parts of Ceredigion, in the key work of helping people with the need to recover from serious operations by taking part in a carefully planned programme of exercise which is safe, successful and good fun!
 
“I am lucky to work with really well qualified and totally committed people,” said Elaine, “which certainly makes my job easier and helps our clients settle into their programmes.”
 

2007 start in a new role

 
Elaine started out in her new role in 2007 and her remit was to set up the scheme, one of the first of its kind in Wales, under the guidelines set up by the Welsh Assembly. It started up in April 2008 with mild, moderate cases through to the present time when the chronic referrals include victims of heart attack, stroke and by-pass operations.
 
She is based at Milford Haven Leisure Centre and in her links with all the medical practices she sorts out the best venue for clients and the provision that is suitable to meet their varied needs. Classes are held at different times of the day and in all the leisure centres established by Pembrokeshire County Council – and programmes are also devised which allow participants in the scheme to carry on the rehab work at home.

 
Special delivery in seven centres

 
As Elaine told us,
“We deliver in all seven Leisure Centres - Fishguard (FLC), Crymych (CLC), Haverfordwest (HLC), Milford Haven (MHLC), Pembroke (PLC), Tenby (TLC) and St Davids (SDLC), plus the two outreach sites at Bloomfield in Narberth and St Clements Hall in Neyland
“We specialise in various chronic conditions:
· Cardiac Rehabilitation in FLC, CLC, HLC, MHLC, PLC, TLC, Bloomfield and Neyland
· Respiratory rehabilitation in FLC, CLC, MHLC, and TLC
· Back Care in FLC, CLC, MHLC , TLC and PLC
· Fall prevention in HLC
· Stroke rehabilitation in MHLC
· Aqua therapy in MHLC
· Cancer rehabilitation SDLC, FLC, CLC, HLC, MHLC, PLC, TLC
 

Active role for Elaine

 
Elaine plays an active role because she holds an aqua therapy class and takes the cardiac rehabilitation group when required. She has a Level Four qualification in helping clients with stroke rehabilitation, cardiac rehab, falls prevention, back care, cancer rehab and respiratory rehab.
“We also have links with the Cardiac Liaison Nurses and British Heart Foundation Nurses through Paula Emery as part of our overall team effort.”
 

Time for her own sport

 
Elaine works five days a week but still finds some time for some sport of her own because she plays ladies’ cricket and coaches hockey for both senior and junior teams in Haverfordwest, plus games of squash with her brother, Peter Crook.
 
 The Cardiac rehab groups recently had a volley ball tournament in Milford Haven Leisure Centre and Terry Main, who started volley ball with the groups, was there to give support
“We also run a walking group in partnership with the National Parks ‘Walkability’ officer, from nice venues like St Davids, Canastan Woods, Marloes, Newport, Newgale, Stackpole, and Llys y Fran.”
 

Exercise referral pays off

 
 “Exercise referral provides an opportunity for members of the public to access a high quality supervised exercise programme, with the aim of encouraging long-term adherence to physical activity.
 
“This involves 16 weeks of exercise aimed to help increase your activity level, and therefore improve your health, e.g. it can reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, help weight loss and reduce stress or depression.
 

How to join the scheme

 
We asked Elaine how anyone could join the scheme and she had her answer ready:
“Visit your Health Care Professional and they will identify that you may benefit from taking some form of physical exercise. A ‘Referral form’ containing your details will be filled in; one copy sent to the scheme and another copy given to you. You will then be invited to a Leisure Centre most convenient to you.
 
“On your first visit, the Exercise Professional will meet with you to find out a little more about your health history, carry out some basic health checks and discuss a choice of exercises that are suitable; activities that will be fun and help you get fitter. They may include specific classes in the Fitness Suite, Studio circuit class and water-based exercise. Your Exercise Professional will advise you and continue to help and support you whenever you need it.
 
“The number of clients referred to the scheme from April 12 – March 13th was 1,406. “Everyone pulls together in the interest of those who need rehab and I am lucky to have one of the most satisfying jobs in Pembrokeshire,” said Elaine Scale with a smile!