A FITNESS club in Chester has earned praise from the Department of Health.

Paul Stonebrook from the health improvement and protection directorate spent the afternoon at Total Fitness on Liverpool Road, Chester, last week to see the club’s exercise referral programme in action.

Its success is being held up as a model on which a wider programme could be rolled out.

Health professionals identify patients who they believe will benefit from a tailored programme of exercise and then refer them on to their nearest exercise centre, including Total Fitness.

Dr Neil Fell, director of partnership development, said: “The programme has a proven track record, with referrals showing marked improvements when they get involved in exercises that are appropriate in aiding their recovery from illness or injury.”

Geoff Pugh, project manager with the Western Cheshire PCT health promotion department , said: “We’re delighted the programme has attracted interest from the Department of Health.

“Total Fitness is close to communities that we would like to work more closely with.”