Shaping a new-look NHS through sport and physical activity

Tara Dillon CEO CIMSPA

The government is asking everyone – from members of the public to organisations – for their views and insights to help shape its 10 Year Health Plan to create a modern NHS that meets the needs of our evolving population. The challenges are significant, but so are the opportunities, especially for the sport and physical activity sector. The government’s consultation recognises the critical role of prevention and community-based interventions, which is where the sport and physical activity sector can, and is, playing a key role in the health of the nation.

Physical activity is fundamental to preventive healthcare, significantly reducing the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Encouraging regular exercise and active lifestyles can alleviate the strain on healthcare services, freeing up bed space and resources, and saving the NHS potentially billions of pounds in expensive treatments, medications, surgeries and long-term care associated with these conditions. Making prevention a priority in the new-look NHS is essential to ensuring its sustainability.

“Our NHS is broken, but not beaten. Together we can fix it.” These words open the government’s largest-ever public conversation about the future of our national health service

But the role of sport and physical activity extends far beyond prevention. The facilities and programmes we offer and the professionals who work in our venues and out in our communities play a key role in rehabilitation and recovery. They help patients regain strength and function after illness, surgery or illness, which can significantly speed up recovery times and save healthcare costs. They also support those living with long term health conditions, providing the services and guidance to help individuals manage their conditions to improve their quality of life. The mental health crisis is one of the most pressing issues facing the NHS. The issue is particularly acute among children and young people. A report published by the NHS in 2023 found that 20.3% of eight to 16-year-olds and 23.3% of 17 to 19-year-old had a probable mental disorder. NHS mental health services are struggling to meet this growing demand. Physical activity is proven to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Being active provides opportunities for connection that helps to combat loneliness and nurtures a sense of belonging - all of which are essential for mental health. I firmly believe our sector has the power to reduce the burden on the NHS, and highly trained sport and physical activity professionals with skills tailored to meet local needs are vital to this. Our professionals are engaging directly with communities to prevent illness, manage chronic conditions, support mental health and ultimately enable people to live healthier, more independent lives. Our sector and its workforce must be at the heart of plans to increase active wellbeing and revive our healthcare services.