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The Edmonton and area Primary Care Networks, surrounding municipalities, the City of Edmonton, the YMCA and Alberta Health Services are proud partners in a ground-breaking collaborative initiative in the Edmonton area known as “Prescription To Get Active”.  This program brings primary care providers and local wellness organizations together to increase the physical activity levels in our population using a “prescription” for physical activity.

We received great news this fall that “Prescription To Get Active” was one of six finalists across Canada for the Play Exchange grant!  The Play Exchange is a national challenge to find and support schools, students, families, not-for-profit organizations, social enterprises, and businesses that are promoting active living across Canada. Prescription To Get Active was chosen as one of the top six entries out of over 400 submissions - and now we are looking to our partners for help!

All six finalists were featured on a television special for the Play Exchange on CBC on Friday, January 9^th. Click here to watch the show online. During the week that followed, Canadians selected the winning idea by voting online. The winner of the Play Exchange will receive an investment of up to $1-million from the Government of Canada!

Thank you for your support! The winner of The Play Exchange will be announced in the next couple of weeks.  

www.prescriptiontogetactive.com

Prescription To Get Active named finalist in The Play Exchange!

Prescription To Get Active announced as 1 of 6 finalists in The Play Exchange

The Prescription To Get Active program has been named as one of six finalists in The Play Exchange by a panel of expert judges. The Play Exchange is a national, online challenge that was launched in February 2014 by Minister of Health, Rona Ambrose, as a way to find creative ideas to get Canadians living healthier, more active lives. More than 420 entries were received by The Play Exchange and the finalists were announced September 22, 2014. The contest was open to all Canadians, including not-for-profit organizations, businesses, schools and families.

Each of the six finalists will be featured on a CBC television special and will compete for an investment of up to $1 million from the Government of Canada to help support their program. Canadians will decide the winner by voting for the finalist that they feel has the best initiative. Voting will begin in January 2015. Each finalist also receives mentoring and support from LIFT Philanthropy Partners to develop a strategic business plan, valued at $30,000.

“Prescription To Get Active is an initiative that opens the discussion of the significant health benefits associated with an active lifestyle as well as and the numerous health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle.  It offers recreation resources and low-barrier, flexible opportunities as part of the patient’s healthy living plan.” explains Len Frank, co-chair of the Prescription To Get Active strategic leadership committee.  “The strength of the partnerships between community and primary care providers along with a tangible prescription supporting physical activity  is what makes this initiative unique.”

Prescription To Get Active is a unique venture where local Primary Care Network (PCN) family physicians and their health care teams prescribe physical activity to patients who would benefit from increased activity. The initiative began in Leduc in October 2011 and launched throughout the Edmonton area in February 2014. There are now 27 recreation facilities and 9 PCNs on board.

“Being named a finalist gives recognition to the hard work between our partners and will expose our program further, “says Frank. “If the program is selected the winner by Canadians, it will allow us to expand the program across the province and eventually, across Canada.”

www.prescriptiontogetactive.com

News release annoucing launch of The Play Exchange from the office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose.

more about The Play Exchange

Are you a Prescription to Get Active participant?

In addition to utilizing partner recreation facilities, the Prescription to Get Active program encourages participants to engage in activity such as using community trails for walking, running and biking, public tennis courts, boating clubs, outdoor fitness parks, local ski hills, cross country skiing trails, mall walking and at-home programs as ways to get active. See our links under Get Active tab for ideas on how to participate.

With each “Prescription to Get Active”, PCN health professionals are able to prescribe the amount of activity you need to help improve your health and prevent disease. The participating facilities are supporting you by providing certain services when you bring a prescription to them. It might be a tour, some free access passes or a free month of access to their facility. Please click the Participating Facilities tab and click the List View button to see what each participating facility is offering.

Don't forget to register! Registering allows you track your activity online so you can see where you started and how far you have come! You can register by clicking the link above or visiting www.prescriptiontogetactive.com and clicking the "Get started and track activity now" button in the upper right hand corner.

March newsletter

Our March 2014 Patient Newsletter is now available on our website. Included in this edition is information on:

• Prescription to Get Active regional launch and see pictures from the event;
• Expanded nutritional counselling services at our PCN;
• Heart Healthy classes open up the to public - how to register;
• Leduc Lifestyle Medical Clinic (formerly Leduc Obesity Clinic);
• Leduc Mental Health;
• Get Out, Get Active activity challenge - how to get involved.

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March 2014 Patient Newsletter

Prescription To Get Active

Dr. Justin Balko, LBD PCN member physician and president, was interviewed on CBC's The National about our Prescription to Get Active program. Please read the article and view the segment here at the CBC website.

For more information on Prescription To Get Active, please visit our website or speak to your LBD PCN family physician.

Prescription to Get Active - 2 more partners!

We are thrilled to announce two new partners in the Prescription to Get Active Program:

Devon Total Fitness
Arctic Spas Recreation Complex (Thorsby)

Patients can now receive a complimentary 1-month pass to these facilities with a completed Prescription to Get Active. New prescription pads including Devon Total Fitness and Arctic Spas Recreation Complex contact information have been delivered to our member clinics in Devon and Calmar. Please note that these facilities will accept prescription written in Leduc and Beaumont as well.

For more information the Prescription to Get Active program, please visit our website www.lbdpcn.com or our Prescription to Get Active blog.