GPs and Healthcare Professionals

Around 1 in 3 men and half of women are not achieving recommended levels of activity for good health, with people with long term conditions twice as likely to be amongst the least active. Physical activity is incorporated across NICE clinical guidance, with evidence suggesting 1 in 4 people would be more active if advised by a GP or nurse.

However, 70-80% of GPs do not speak about the benefits of physical activity to patients. This can be associated with knowledge, skills and confidence gaps across HCPs.

The below is a summary of training, resources and campaigns, which can support Healthcare Professionals to increase their knowledge and skills to have conversations with patients about being more active.    The majority of the resources form part of the Moving Healthcare Professionals Programme lead by Sport England and The Office Health Improvement and Disparities (formally Public Health England).  Detailed information is available here https://www.sportengland.org/campaigns-and-our-work/moving-healthcare-professionals?section=introduction

The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK, Sport England, Office Health Improvement and Disparities (formerly Public Health England) and the Royal College of General Practitioner’s have collaborated to enable the development of clear statements, through expert consensus, about the medical risks of physical activity for all adults, irrespective of age, living with one or more long term conditions for healthcare professionals to use to support their clinical practice. The full consensus statement along with summary infographics and symptom specific information are available here: https://movingmedicine.ac.uk/riskconsensus/

Physical Activity Clinical Champions Training

One to three-hour online session for heath care professionals delivered by PHE’s national network of physical activity clinical champions, made up of GPs, nurses, midwives and allied healthcare professionals. To arrange a course email: physicalactivity@phe.gov.uk

#WeThinkActive Workshop

A short 50minute workshop, delivered by Think Active, to support all staff to start thinking about how they can be more active and encourage patients to be more active. Ideal for incorporating in a team meeting. Contact info@thinkactive.org for details.

Physical Activity & Health e learning

Provided by PHE through the Health Education England’s e-LfH portal , 11 e learning modules aimed at GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals to champion the benefits of physical activity with patients.

Moving Medicine

Provides online step-by-step guides about how to have conversations about physical activity with patients who have different conditions, based on the time you have available.  There are also resources you can download to display in your practice. For more information visit: http://movingmedicine.ac.uk/

Chief Medical Officer Physical Activity Infographics

Summarise the 2019 physical activity guidelines, to view the infographics visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/physical-activity-guidelines

Physical Activity and Lifestyle Toolkit

Ideas and resources to help healthcare professionals raise awareness and promote physical activity with staff and patients, supporting practices towards meeting the Active Practice Charter criteria. https://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/resources/toolkits/physical-activity-and-lifestyle.aspx

Calrendon Lodge Medical Practice (Case Study)

Clarendon Lodge Medical Practice has become one of the first surgeries to become a RCGP Active Practice by committing to reduce sedentary behaviour and increasing physical activity amongst staff and patients. To see how they achieved their Active Practice Status, have a read through their case study: RCGP Active Practice- Clarendon Lodge

Active Practice Charter

Inspires and celebrates GP practices that are taking steps to increase activity in their patients and staff. For more information visit: https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/49LX-5IR/active-practice-charter.

Active Hospitals

Aims to change the physical activity culture within hospitals to encourage patients and staff to move more. A tool kit is available at https://movingmedicine.ac.uk/active-hospitals/

We Are Undefeatable Campaign

Inspires and support people with long-term health conditions to build physical activity into their lives. The campaign provides information, resources & guidance on:

• Ways to Move– ideas and resources to help those with long term health conditions find the right activity for them.
• Getting started- contains top tips and resources to help individuals become physically active.
• Stories– inspiration form  people with health conditions have found ways to get moving.

For more information & to sign up to the Supporters Hub visit: https://www.weareundefeatable.co.uk/

Join the Movement

National campaign from Sport England offering, tips, advice and guidance on how to keep or get active. https://www.sportengland.org/jointhemovement

This Girl Can

Activity Finder, Stories and resources to inspire women and girls to get active.  For more information & to access resources through the supporter hub visit https://www.thisgirlcan.co.uk/

Active Pregnancy Foundation

Activity specific guides to support for pregnant women and new mums including swimming, dancing, cycling, running, walking etc

https://www.activepregnancyfoundation.org/findyouractive

For advice and ideas on being active for you, your staff and your patients, please visit our Tips to Get Active pages