Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL) - Health Referral

A new referral pathway has been created by Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL) to offer patients the opportunity to be referred to their 12-week exercise programme, the BPL Health Referral Scheme. 

 

BPL is a not-for-profit charitable trust that manages leisure facilities in Barnsley and Bassetlaw.  They reinvest in their facilities and communities to offer opportunities for all. BPL were the Barnsley Council commissioned provider for the Tier 2 Weight Management Programme from 2019 to 2025 where referrals were made from all GP Practices. 

The new programme re-establishes the pathways into a physical activity based intervention with an increased eligibility criteria aimed at supporting more people to be active.

This scheme is only available at Barnsley venues listed below:
•    Dearneside Leisure Centre
•    Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre
•    Hoyland Leisure Centre
•    Metrodome Leisure Complex
•    Royston Leisure Centre

 

The programme offers those meeting the referral criteria the opportunity to receive support and guidance to become more physically active to help them manage their health and wellbeing, as well as reducing further health risk factors.  BPL are offering the scheme as a free to attend pilot programme until 31 March 2026 with no cost implications to referring health care professionals.

 

To be eligible for the programme, patients must meet the referral criteria below:
•    Aged 16+ 
•    Sedentary or physically inactive (undertaking less than 150 minutes of physical activity per week)
•    All conditions MUST be stable, controlled and mild to moderate in severity
•    Motivated to change

 

The following health conditions are accepted onto the scheme:
•    Anxiety / Stress
•    Asthma
•    BMI 30+
•    Depression
•    Hypercholesterolemia
•    Hypertension
•    Musculoskeletal (pain / injury)
•    Osteoarthritis
•    Osteoporosis
•    Rheumatoid Arthritis
•    Type I Diabetes
•    Type II Diabetes

 

Exclusion Criteria
•    History of cardiac event, disease or condition
•    Systolic blood pressure ≥180mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥100mmHg
•    Resting heart rate ≥100bpm
•    Any uncontrolled or unstable medical condition
 

Referrals to the programme can be made by any GP Practice in Barnsley.

Overview of the programme / offer
•    Mild to moderate medical conditions listed on criteria accepted
•    Referrals made by sending completed referral form to secure email address
•    Patients attend initial consultation where baseline measurements are taken to establish starting point and used for measuring progress and impact. These include lifestyle questionnaire, blood pressure, height, weight, BMI, waist circumference and mental wellbeing score
•    Personalised lifestyle and exercise programme given to patient. This includes unlimited access to gym, swim and group exercise sessions at any BPL venue in Barnsley
•    Regular one to one appointments with their BPL Healthy Lifestyle Advisor to monitor attendance, progress and maintain motivation
•    Completion consultation at week 12 where all measurements are retaken to demonstrate impact
•    Options to continue to be active are discussed, including reduced rate BPL membership

Published on 24 September 2025