Media release
2 May 2014
Local community scheme receives positive feedback
Local people who have or are at risk of developing diabetes have overwhelmingly backed a pilot
scheme encouraging them to be more physically active and make connections in the community.
The pilot, known as Newham Community Prescription, gives patients the chance to join physical
activity classes of their choice, such as Zumba, salsa dancing or Tai Chi, through a prescription
from their GP.
All of the classes are tailored towards the needs, cultures and lifestyles of local people and are
provided by local voluntary and community sector groups, including West Ham United FC
Community Sports Trust, The London Tamil Sangam, Subco, Newham African Caribbean Recourse
Centre, Bonny Downs and Age UK.
By helping people to stay healthier, to understand their condition and to manage their own health,
the scheme aims to reduce the risk of long-term health complications associated with diabetes, such
as heart disease, stroke or kidney disease.
Local people have said that the NCP works well for them and they are making losing weight, forging
friendships and gaining self-confidence. A number of people currently on the scheme were asked to
give their views and stories. They said:
What local people think:
Feroza Udin
Feroza, from Forest Gate, a retired mother of two and grandmother to Ashton and Lucia, was on the
238 bus to Stratford when the driver broke suddenly. Flung forward she fell hard, injuring her
shoulder. Since then she’s had cortisone injections to help with the pain. Her doctor said that using
cortisone can cause diabetes. Feroza’s a healthy eater and regularly has fish and fresh fruit and
vegetables, but it’s hard for her to keep up her fitness as her sore arm means she can’t swim
anymore. So her GP wrote a prescription for fitness and flexibility with a healthy dose of fun. She
now attends salsa dancing twice a week.
“I’ve made a lot of friends and I feel far more positive about myself coming here. My husband said I
look more relaxed.”
Maria Bedoya
Maria, a mother of four from Manor Park, visited her GP as she was constantly feeling tired. Her
GP informed her that she has high risk of being diagnosed with type-two diabetes, but Maria still
had time to improve her health. To support this, her GP referred her to the Newham Community
Prescription. Maria now attends weekly Zumba, salsa and swimming classes every week. Following
her GP’s advice she’s also changed her diet to eat more healthily and to cut out fried food. Since
joining the community activity scheme four weeks ago, Maria feels confident, energetic and happier.
She has also significantly reduced the amount of times she visits her GP.
“I absolutely love attending the classes, especially the salsa class. Since joining I feel more
confident in myself, I don’t always feel tired and I have made many friends.”
Grace Gyamfi
Grace, from Forest Gate, works as a housekeeper at Royal London Hospital. The doctor said her
kidneys aren’t working as well as they should. Diabetes can run in families and last year Grace’s
mother was diagnosed with this condition. So, her GP decided that a good way for Grace to get
healthy was to prescribe some community activities for her. Since joining the salsa and Zumba class
in late October, blood pressure tests by her GP show that she is getting healthier.
“I used to be sick off work a lot, but since I started dancing and coming here twice a week to Zumba
and Salsa class I feel so much better. I think my stomach has gone down too!”
Kabita Devi Rai
Kabita, a mother of four from Forest Gate, has a big smile on her face. Three weeks ago she started
the community prescription and she’s lost three kgs in that time. Her GP said she had high blood
pressure and she really needed to lose weight and move her body more. So now she attends salsa
and Zumba dancing classes for two hours two times a week. Kabita admits that she’s been
overweight for the last 10 years and has a bit of a way to go before she’s healthy but after six years
of being the same weight a three kg drop is a great achievement.
“I love dancing. I felt I couldn’t do anything in my life before coming here. Now I feel I can do
everything. It’s given me confidence and my husband said I’m looking great.”
As well as improving physical health, one of the most significant benefits of the scheme has been
the psychological support and the positive effect on patients’ general happiness and wellbeing
The scheme has also been seen as success by health and care professionals. It has been
nominated in the diabetes care category for the prestigious Patient Safety and Care Awards 2014.
Its nomination is a result of NCP’s success in improving the experiences of people living with
diabetes. The award ceremony will take place on 15 July at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.
Dr Zuhair Zarifa, Chair of NHS Newham CCG and a local GP, said:
“We’re delighted with the overwhelmingly positive feedback we’ve received from people who have
taken part in the programme so far.
“Currently, over 21,000 people in Newham have diabetes, with 1,800 new cases being seen each
year. Newham Community Prescription offers patients the support to take responsibility for
managing their condition as well as to be more active, lose weight and achieve their health goals.
“If you’re registered with any of the surgeries taking part in the pilot and would like to find out more
about the programme, please speak to your GP.”
NCP launched in October 2013, and is currently running in the following GP practices in Newham –
Sangam GP Surgery, Manor Park; Roding Medical Centre, Manor Park; Westbury Road Surgery,
Forest Gate; Wordsworth Health Centre, East Ham; Newham Transitional Practice, Manor Park;
E12 Health, Manor Park; and Lantern Health at both the Stratford and Manor Park branches.
It is projected that over 200 patients will have successfully completed the twelve week programme
by May 2014.
- ends Notes to editors

Photographs are available in high resolution.

The CCG has taken over much of the work that used to be done by NHS Newham which
closed down in March 2013, as did all primary care trusts (PCTs) across the country. The
CCG’s role is to commission most local health services, from cancer care to mental health,
hospital operations to prescriptions. All GP practices in the borough are part of this CCG.
The CCG has a board, which meets regularly, and is chaired by a local GP.

More information about Newham CCG can be found here

For more information contact Savaia Stevenson on 020 3688 1216 or
Savaia.Stevenson@nelcsu.nhs.uk