Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend the provisions of access to gyms and health centres on prescription; and if he will make a statement. [4129]
§ Mr. MilburnGeneral Practitioner exercise on prescription schemes are being adopted at local level. For the price of a prescription, patients can make use of local health and leisure facilities for a planned programme of appropriate exercise. Some prescription schemes already make use of gyms. Individual local health care teams are best placed to decide which facility would deliver the greatest benefit to the patient. Detailed guidance for primary health care teams is contained in the Health Education Authority's document "Promoting Physical Activity in Primary Care".