- Charity hosting over 150 healthcare leaders, policymakers and frontline professionals
- First step in creating blueprint for making physical activity a vital part of healthcare, in line with newly-published 10 Year Health Plan for England
- London Sport calling for collective action to tackle physical inactivity crisis
London Sport, in collaboration with NHS England, is today bringing together 150 leaders and practitioners from across London’s health and physical activity sectors for a pivotal workshop designed to put movement at the heart of healthcare.
The ‘NHS Fit for the Future in London’ workshop comes following the Government’s publication of its Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, which sets out a long-term vision for a more prevention-focused, person-centred, and data-driven NHS. Physical activity is a key part of that vision, with today’s event representing a crucial step toward operationalising that ambition in London.
Physical inactivity is estimated to contribute to 1 in 6 deaths in the UK, and people with a long-term health condition or disability are twice as likely to be inactive as those without[1]. Recent London Sport analysis of the latest Active Lives data[2] revealed that in 15 of London’s 32 boroughs, adult activity levels fall below the national average, leaving tens of thousands of residents at increased risk of poor health and reduced wellbeing.
Today, the ‘NHS Fit for the Future in London’ workshop will unite NHS leaders, healthcare professionals, public health experts and the physical activity sector to co-create a practical blueprint for embedding physical activity across the healthcare system in London
The workshop will build on the NHS’s ‘Four Ways Forward’ physical activity framework, to develop a bold and unified approach to integrating movement into prevention, treatment, and recovery across London. The ‘Four Ways Forward’ are:
- Empowering health and care professionals
- Integrating physical activity into clinical pathways
- Supporting the NHS workforce
- Supporting innovation and evaluation with partners
Emily Robinson, CEO, London Sport, said: “In some parts of London, people live 12 years longer in good health than others. We know that physical inactivity contributes to a range of long-term health conditions, which is why we are working so hard to improve patient outcomes, empower NHS staff, and reduce health inequalities across the capital.
“Physical activity is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent illness and support people to live longer, healthier lives. London Sport is proud to convene this influential group of partners to co-create real, actionable change that puts physical activity at the heart of the capital’s health strategy and supports delivery of the Government’s new 10-year vision for the NHS.”
Professor Kevin Fenton CBE, London Regional Director, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, said:
“Reducing health inequalities must remain at the heart of our work in London. Embedding physical activity into healthcare is not just about improving individual wellbeing, it’s about transforming the system to better serve our most disadvantaged communities. By prioritising movement in the prevention and management of long-term conditions, we can also support the Million Hearts and Minds Challenge a City-wide action on heart health – inspiring Londoners, saving lives and reducing inequalities. This collective action moves us towards a healthier, more equitable London for all.”
Sarah Price, Director of Public Health, NHS England, added: “This workshop is a vital step in recognising the role physical activity can and must play in our health system. From prevention to rehabilitation, movement improves outcomes, supports staff wellbeing, and addresses deep-rooted inequalities.”
Siobhan Gregory, Director of Nursing, NHS England (London), commented: “Our nurses and frontline staff see first-hand how physical inactivity contributes to poor health. By embedding activity into care pathways and everyday practice, we can offer patients better outcomes and support a healthier, more resilient NHS workforce.”
Led by NHS Horizons, the event will channel the collective insight and expertise of cross-sector leaders and practitioners into a high-impact action plan, to be launched later this year. The resulting blueprint will inform and support system-wide change across London, contributing to a healthier, more equitable city.
[1] NHS England » Harnessing the benefits of physical activity
ENDS
For more information, contact [email protected]
Notes to editors:
About London Sport
London Sport is a charity helping all Londoners live longer, happier, healthier lives through being active.
As a strategic leader, advocate and convenor for London’s grassroots sport and physical activity sector, we collaborate with London’s local authorities and other organisations to ensure more equitable access to sport and physical activity.
As part of a national network of 43 Active Partnerships with a collective voice to influence nationally, our work aims to break the link between inactivity and inequality to improve health and wellbeing of those from the most deprived communities
About NHS Horizons
NHS Horizons supports leaders of change, teams, organisations and systems to think differently about large-scale change, improve collaboration, and accelerate change. We work with the health and care system, the wider public sector and publicly funded healthcare systems globally. Driven by our deep connection to the founding principles of the NHS, the purpose of the Horizons team is to amplify and boost the efforts of others to deliver transformation and large-scale improvement, and to accelerate new change thinking and practices in line with the priorities of the NHS and its people. Learn more about NHS Horizons.
