Groundbreaking progamme is being launched in Harborough to help cancer patients

Cancer patients preparing to have life-enhancing surgery are set to be boosted by an innovative pilot scheme.

Harborough District Council is supporting a positive six-week ‘prehabilitation’ programme for cancer patients.

The groundbreaking blueprint is being launched in Harborough district this month.

The initiative involves a supervised exercise regime, nutritional support, education and psychological support to improve outcomes for patients scheduled for surgery.

Undergoing major surgery is physically, nutritionally and psychologically demanding for patients.

This project aims to improve the health of the person before surgery.

And that means they will be best equipped for their procedure and have a smoother and quicker recovery experience post-surgery.

The programme involves selecting suitable patients currently under the care of Leicester’s Glenfield Hospital to take part. Once the patient agrees, they are referred to the relevant local authority within the trial.

In Leicestershire only Harborough, Melton & Hinckley & Bosworth local authorities are taking part in the initial pilot.

The Harborough council Active Harborough team will be responsible for those referred to the council - and participants are likely to live in the district.

In collaboration with Glenfield Hospital’s Lead Physiotherapist/Prehabilitation Project Manager and trained cancer rehabilitation instructors at Harborough Leisure Centre, an exercise plan will be personally tailored to the individual to meet their particular requirements.

Hour-long sessions will be held three times a week at Harborough leisure centre.

They will be staged in conjunction with Harborough council’s leisure provider, Everyone Active.

Hand-picked Harborough District Active Harborough instructors are being trained to qualify as Level 4 cancer rehabilitation instructors.

The council’s Active Harborough team will continue to support the individuals through recovery after surgery and with ongoing exercise plans and class delivery.

Cllr Amanda Nunn, the council’s portfolio holder for Well-being, said: ‘I’m so pleased our district has been chosen to pilot this progressive scheme.

“It will support people during a difficult time to prepare both physically and mentally for treatment.

“I hope it is a huge success. ’

Matthew Hopkin, Harborough Leisure Centre’s manager, said: ‘We have a great team of experienced staff here at Harborough Leisure Centre.

“I know they are completely committed to supporting participants of the new scheme.

“We look forward to helping them on their journey to recovery.”

Leicestershire and Rutland Sport is co-ordinating the ‘prehabilitation’ project.

The scheme’s being provided by the University Hospitals of Leicestershire NHS Trust along with NHS England and NHS Improvement (Midlands), and the three Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups.