Take a couple of doses of West Shore Parks and Recreation and call your doctor in the morning.

It’s a new take on an old adage, but staff at the local recreation centre are eager to see if a pilot project will help connect doctors with the centre’s programs. The ActNowBC Prescription for Health rolls out in Greater Victoria recreation centres next month.

“We are key players in the health of citizens. Recreation centres are the action bodies that can help you plan and change into that healthy lifestyle,” said Janet Barclay, manager of community recreation and development.

Targeted at pregnant women, people with chronic pain, depression, obesity and other health conditions, the program allows doctors to refer patients to a recreation centre where staff are trained to walk them though a personal exercise program.

Those referred to the program attend a goal setting session and a Thrifty Foods nutrition seminar.

As part of the program, participants get five passes to the centre of their choice in the Capital Regional District, a resource package, fitness orientation and pedometer.

The nutrition seminar covers basic nutrition information, including recipes and samples.

The program makes the facility more accessible, Barclay said.

For staff it also makes it easier to identify patrons looking for a little guidance.

In that way they can follow up with the clients after a period of time to see if they stuck with it or if there is anything else staff can do to help, she said.

“Now we just need to see if the physicians will find it an exciting program,” she said.

So far more than 30 doctors in the CRD are signed onto the program, although the hope is to double that amount, Barclay said. Doctors taking part in the program get a free one-month pass to the facility of their choice to better inform them of what is offered. In that way they can pass that knowledge on to the patient, Barclay said.

The pilot program runs until October 2009. During that time WSPR staff will follow up with participants to see how they are benefiting from the program. Patients interested in the program are encouraged to ask their doctors about it.

For more information on West Shore Parks and Recreation programs go to www.jdfrecreation.com

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com