Sector leaders agree blueprint to embed physical activity into health

Leaders from across the health sector have met with the physical activity industry to agree a new approach to embed physical activity into health and care systems. The meeting, hosted by industry body, ukactive at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, is seen as the first step to establish a blueprint for the ideal relationship between the NHS and the physical activity sector.

A group of senior leaders – from the NHS, government, the physical activity sector, Active Partnerships, and system suppliers – established a comprehensive approach to embedding physical activity into Integrated Care System (ICS) strategies. Aligning with the Government’s planned ‘three shifts’ – from treatment to prevention, hospital to community, and analogue to digital – the draft blueprint identifies how the physical activity sector can best supportthe NHS to drive prevention, how health and care pathways can be delivered in a community setting and the role of digital in facilitating this in practice within ICS. The aim of the event was to start the move towards an operating environment necessary for the seamless integration of physical activity into the health system, at a time when the Government is designing its 10-year NHS health plan.

Topics discussed at the event – titled ‘Designing a Blueprint for Physical Activity within Integrated Care Systems – included: l Driving prevention and behaviour change l Creating partnerships and advocacy across the two sectors l Addressing economic inactivity l The role of digital in facilitating a relationship between ICS and the physical activity sector.