Leisure centre transformed into a health hub by hospital staff

The drive to establish the physical activity sector as a key part of the healthcare sector took on a practical turn in north London recently, as physiotherapists at Chase Farm Hospital swapped the hospital’s clinic rooms for the sports hall of a local leisure centre.

Over two days in March, staff from the hospital took over Southbury Leisure Centre in Enfield intending to empower patients to take ownership of their health and meet various community and health teams. More than 200 patients who had self-referred to the NHS service were provided with an hour-long slot to attend the event at the leisure centre, where they had a conversation with a physiotherapist, followed by an assessment. Patients were then invited to speak to other teams about health issues, with dietitians, respiratory, long COVID-19, heart failure and bone health teams.