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Islington: Preparing yourself for surgery

Please click on the buttons below to open up information about services available to you if you live in this borough. Where possible we have included services that you can directly refer into.
 
However, in some instances, the referral needs to come from your GP following your request .
POA - Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Islington Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Weight Management

Weight Management

Self-help/self-referral
The NHS Better Health website is specially designed to help patients take the small steps they need to kickstart their health. It contains a range of resources to help patients lose weight, quit smoking, get active and drink less, including apps to help keep them on track. There is also a section dedicated to getting active with includes Introductory offers for health centres, classes and community support.
 
Clinical referrals
An NHS digital weight management programme offers online access to weight management services to people living with obesity who also have a diagnosis of either diabetes, hypertension, or both.
It is a 12-week offer with three levels of support available and is designed to give service users a personalised level of intervention to support them to manage their weight and improve longer-term health outcomes.
 
Level 1:  Access to digital content only
Level 2:  Access to digital content plus 50 minutes of human coaching over the 12 weeks
Level 3:  Access to digital content plus 100 minutes of human coaching over the 12 weeks
 
Further information on signing up can be accessed here- NHS England » How to access the programme
 
Currently, general practices and community pharmacies can refer members of the public to the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme. Further information is available on the Information for community pharmacies web page.
 
There is a range of information on the GP website.
 
Included in the link is information of weight management services available within Islington including eligibility criteria for general weight management services, diabetes related services, local sports and leisure facilities, online resources and apps and physical activity guidelines.

POA - Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Islington Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Alcohol Services

Alcohol Services

 
Self-help/self-referral
The NHS Better Health website is specially designed to help patient take the small steps they need to kickstart their health. It contains a range of resources to help patients lose weight, quit smoking, get active and drink less, including apps to help keep them on track. Islington residents can also refer themselves for support via this website.
 
Clinical referrals
Referrals for all NCL boroughs should be made to HAGA via the referral form. 

POA - Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Islington Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Tobacco services

Smoking Support

Self-help/self-referral
The NHS Better Health website is specially designed to help patient take the small steps they need to kickstart their health. It contains a range of resources to help patients lose weight, quit smoking, get active and drink less, including apps to help keep them on track. 
 
Clinical referrals
Further information about services in Islington 

POA - Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Islington Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Mental health

Mental health

Self-help/self-referral
The NHS Every Mind Matters website is a useful resource for general tips and advice on how to lift mood or ease anxiety. 
 
Clinical referrals 
Should patients require clinical support, this can be accessed via their local borough support: Camden and Islington  
 

POA - Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Islington Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Substance misuse

Substance misuse

Self-help/self-referral
Self-referral can be made to the Substance Misuse Service
Islington residents can also access an integrated drug and alcohol service, Better Lives

Clinical referrals
Referrals can be made via a GP. However, should an urgent referral be required, this can be sent using the email address: islington.MHCT@candi.nhs.uk

POA - Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Islington Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Long-term conditions

Long-term conditions

 
Self-help/self-referral
There is a lot of advice online to help including guidance from the Royal College of Anaesthetists(RCOA),?with over?600 helpful videos by healthcare professionals. The?NHS website?has support on how to manage long-term conditions as well as the NHS App.
 
Clinical referrals
In the first instance, a patient’s GP practice is the best place to access the range of support available. Primary care in NCL manages LTCs through the NCL LTC locally commissioned service (LCS). Patients can be assisted via their GP practice for a range of conditions including: 
 Metabolic conditions
  • Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), covering Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD), Stroke, TIA, Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Heart Failure (HF)
  • Arial Fibrillation (AF)
  • Hypertension
  • Hyperlipidaemia
  • Diabetes (Type 2) and (Type 1)
  • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
  • Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Respiratory conditions
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Asthma

POA - Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Islington Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Pain management

Pain management

 
Self-help/self-referral
Resources that can help manage pain include the Pain Toolkit website. There is also advice on how to manage chronic pain on the NHS website.
 
If you are living with long-term pain, speak to your GP who will determine eligibility for a pain clinic referral.
 
Clinical referrals
There are a wide range of services related to pain management depending on the patients’ condition and borough. Below is a list of the main services:
 
Arthritis
MSK Pain Management Rheumatology

POA - Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Islington Exercise and Pre-habilitation - Exercise and prehabilitation

Exercise and prehabilitation

 
Pre-habilitation
 
Self-help/Self referral
As well as the resources listed in the ‘weight management/getting active’ section provided above. Patients can be directed to the NHS fitness studio. This provides a range of videos for patients to try these at home with the benefit of knowing they are suitable for patients with a range of limitations and range of fitness levels and appropriate for many deconditioned patients who otherwise feel unable to access the gym or regular classes.
 
NCL (North Central London) residents can also sign up to the Mr Motivator Club. The website contains with videos, articles, and programs designed to help everyone live a healthier, happier life.
 
Clinical referral
The NCL Move4You programme is a 12-session guided physical activity programme for adults who have had a cancer diagnosis in the last five years.
 
It provides ongoing support for 12 months, led by specialist activity instructors. The programme is tailored to each individual, supporting people of all abilities to engage with a variety of activities to help them move more during and after treatment. Referrals can be made here via the Tottenham Hotspurs Foundation, which provides the service.
 
Click here  for a link to the ‘arsenal in the community’ program of weekly sessions delivered in the local community to promote adult health, wellbeing and a sense of being connected to their community. Programs offered include walking football, pulmonary rehab, chair based 12 week exercise program for over 55s, and a 12 week weight management program for men.
 
All their Health & Wellbeing projects are supported by the Premier League Charitable Fund and PLPFA.
Email@ rratcliffe@arsenal.co.uk to sign up.

Last updated10 Mar 2025