Green Prescription

Green Prescription referrals are prioritised for:

• People at a higher risk than the general population of having one of the below long-term health conditions, and who would benefit from increased physical activity.
• Eligible health conditions include: cardiovascular disease, diabetes or pre-diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, cancer or poor mental health.

The Green Prescription service is not available to people who:

• Do not have cardiovascular disease, diabetes or pre-diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, cancer or poor mental health
• Are already physically active on a regular basis
• Have an unstable and /or unmanaged medical condition
• Are unable to participate independently in physical activities
• Are not ready for behavioural change.

In addition, clients must give consent to be referred prior to being admitted on the programme.

Doctors, practice nurses, midwives or qualified health professionals can refer you or your family to the Green Prescription programme.

Before making the referral, the health professional will consider:

• Your consent to be referred and contacted (a referral can only be made with your consent)
• Your readiness and ability to commit to the programme.

Once we receive your referral, we will ring you and arrange a time to meet one of our advisors at a Green Prescription clinic in your area.

During the initial consultation we discuss what you or your family would like to achieve on this healthy lifestyle programme and together we agree physical activity and nutritional changes that work for you and your circumstances. Nau mai haere mai ki a koutou, we encourage you to bring a support person such as whanau or a friend to your initial consultation.

Over the six months, your advisor will:

• Provide information on free and affordable physical activity options in your community for you to enjoy
• Encourage you to create healthy eating habits and provide you with affordable recipe ideas
• Keep you on track with your goals through follow up appointments, phone support and group sessions.

At the completion of the programme, we’ll provide feedback to the health professional that referred you or your family. Using your new knowledge, you can take ownership of your health and wellbeing for a brighter future.

Green Prescription is a national initiative supported by Te Whatu Ora-Health New Zealand and regional health organisations. Most referrals for Green Prescription are to support prevention and management in patients with chronic disease and long term conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In particular, Green Prescription encourages patients to manage their own conditions by increasing physical activity and improving nutrition

Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand