A new scheme is under way to help hospital patients get as fit and healthy as possible before operations.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust is working in partnership with Mansfield District Leisure Trust, which runs fours leisure centres in the town, for the new innovative project.

Patients undergoing planned surgery are given the opportunity to be referred to the leisure trust’s Healthy Life Programme.

The programme gives patients access to the four leisure centres — Oak Tree, Rebecca Adlington, River Maun and Water Meadows — including specialised support, gym, swim and classes at a reduced price for up to six months.

Research has shown that patients who are fit and healthy often have better surgical outcomes.

Led by consultant anaesthetist at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, Dr Rebecca Barker, and Sister Kelly Crutchely, who is part of the Pre-operative Assessment Team, any patient who is booked in to have an operation can ask to be referred to the programme ­— and there will be a particular focus on elderly patients.

Dr Barker said: “We want to help our patients get the best results possible and help them to help themselves, so we’ve partnered with Mansfield District Leisure Trust to offer this beneficial programme. Getting fit just six weeks before an operation has been shown to reduce the likelihood of complications during and after surgery.

“A patient’s commitment to recover, even before going into surgery, plays a large factor in their recovery. The fitter you are going into surgery, the quicker and easier recovery will be — and the quicker patients can be back in their own homes recovering.”

Geoff Waller, chair of Mansfield District Leisure Trust, added: “We are delighted to partner up with Sherwood Forest Hospitals on this important scheme. Helping local people be better prepared physically for upcoming operations is vital work, and something we are extremely proud to be involved in.

“Healthy Life has been a real success story for the trust in Mansfield, and our dedicated fitness teams have helped hundreds of local people get and stay healthy, improving their quality of life.”