Instructor & Facilities Information

Why get qualified?

To ensure patient safety and the effectiveness of the programme, gym instructors are required to obtain the ‘Local Coordinator Certificate’ awarded through successful completion of the GP Exercise Referral National Training Course.  This course is the only qualification recognised by the HSE, Irish College of General Practitioners and ILAM and is compulsory if you wish to deliver the programme.

What are the benefits of offering GP Exercise Referral at my facility?

• The referred patients and their family and friends attend your facility for the first time and become regular users
• Up to 41% of Irish citizens are sedentary (SLÁN 2007) and this programme specifically targets these people in your community
• The HSE offers funded course places on the national training course and provides ongoing staff support, national resources and publicity
• Local health promotion teams are responsible for GP recruitment and ongoing support of your local GPs
• Health promotion will also provide all resources (this includes activity packs for every referred patient, appointment cards, GP resources and publicity resources)
• The up-skilled staff can offer current members and new users more, and even help increase client retention through the use of behaviour change techniques
• You, your staff and your facility become linked to a wider network and work in partnership with a range of partners to help Ireland get more active

The National Training Course
The national GP Exercise Referral training course provides instructors with the specialist training they need to help physically inactive adults and those with chronic disease become more active.  Upon completion of the training course the instructor is awarded the Local Coordinator certificate.  This represents three key areas;

• 1. Clinical knowledge; this builds upon basic exercise programming knowledge to enable the instructor to set programmes for those with or at risk of chronic disease.  The physiology, pharmacology and relative impacts upon health and safety are addressed.
• 2. Behaviour change psychology; this is crucial to enable individual patient success.  The theory of human behaviour change is learnt in a practical setting to enable the instructor to enhance their interpersonal skills and motivational change techniques.
• 3. Local Coordination; this is key to ensure that the instructor can manage the programme from their facility.  All aspects of running the programme are covered and reinforced through the ‘Local Coordinator Handbook’ upon graduation from the course.

Course Details

The course fits in with full time work commitments and is delivered across five weekends (Friday 4pm-9pm and Saturday 9am-5pm). It is assessed by 3 continual assessment assignments, a synoptic exam and a case study. The course is delivered by course tutors from leading Universities and Institutions across Ireland and is the only recognised qualification for fitness instructors who wish to deliver the HSE GP Exercise Referral Programme.

If you are a fitness instructor looking to further your career or a leisure facility manager keen to increase the diversity of programmes you offer, please register your interest today!

Pre-requisitesFitness instructors must hold a valid qualification as recognised by REPs Ireland and undergo Garda vetting.  Facilities that do not hold the ILAM White Flag must pass health and safety audit.

Online applications are welcomed all year round.  Once course dates and venue are confirmed, those that have applied will be informed and asked to confirm their application.