What is Green Prescription?

Green Prescription (GRx) is a programme to enhance the physical, mental and social well-being of adults, including pregnant women (and their child), through free physical activity and healthy eating support. 

Active Southland's Green Prescription team use motivational interviewing to engage with women about their current activity level, motivators and barriers, and to help them set realistic goals suited to their current fitness level, individual needs, health and lifestyle.

There are many benefits from positive healthy lifestyle changes that will benefit the women, their growing baby and whole whānau.

Women can be referred at any time during their pregnancy, as well as pre-conception and post-natal.

Our Service Includes:

• Individual phone-based consultations (once a month for three months).
• Ideas, tips and information about healthy eating and activity/sport options.
• Opportunities and support to try new things.
• Goal setting and motivational support.
• Promote the healthy feeding of babies - encouraging and supporting breastfeeding, and introducing healthy first foods.
• Client progress is reported back to the referrer, and their GP if they are not the referrer, at the end of the three month support period.

Referral Criteria

To be eligible for Green Prescription, your client must be:

• 17 years of age or over
• Inactive (engaged in less than 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity five or more days of the week)
• Ready to make changes to their lifestyle
• Medically stable (if you are not able to assess this we will obtain this information from the client’s GP)
• Able to engage in low to moderate physical activity.

How do I Refer to Green Prescription?

• Complete a LMC Online Referral.
• Utilise an Electronic Referral Management System or patient pathway eg, ERMS.
• Download and complete a LMC Referral Form and fax, post, or hMael to Active Southland.

1. Fax – 03 211 2250
2. Post – Green Prescription, Active Southland, PO Box 224 Invercargill 9840
3. hMael – grxsportsouthland
4. Email – grx@activesouthland.co.nz

What happens after I refer to Green Prescription?

•  Within ten working days of receiving the referral a Green Prescription Advisor will make initial contact with the client via telephone.
• This will commence three months of phone support—monthly contact (one initial, two follow up calls).

1. Three attempts will be made to contact your client each month via both phone and text (if cellphone number provided).
2. Face to face support is available at Active Southland offices if this will best meet the needs of the client.

• At the completion of the three month support client progress will be reported back to you, as the referrer, and the client’s GP.
• A new Green Prescription is able to be offered to the client if they still meet the referral criteria and are interested in continued support.

Please contact us for more information, and visit the Ministry of Health website for a national overview (including research on Green Prescription).