At the start of the project, we hosted a webinar explaining how the referral pathway worked and how activity providers, healthcare professionals and anyone with an interest in the project could get involved.
You can still watch the playback below.
During an appointment, a GP, nurse, pharmacist or healthcare assistant raised physical activity with the patient and sent them a text message with a personalised link. The link took the patient to a Get Active page, where they could search by postcode and browse local sessions.
The sessions came from providers whose data is Open Active compliant, so providers kept their own listings up to date rather than relying on a list London Sport maintained.
The referral mechanism worked. In a telephone survey of 87 patients, more than eight in ten remembered talking about physical activity with their GP, and almost three in four remembered the text message.
It reached the people we hoped it would. Nearly all survey respondents who answered (94%) had a long-term health condition. More than three-quarters had done less than 30 minutes of moderate activity in the previous week.
People who used the platform rated it well. Of those who clicked the link, 84% found it easy to use and 89% would recommend it to friends or family. All five practitioners who completed our survey said they would like it to continue.
The gap was between the text and the session. Only around a third of patients surveyed clicked the link, and fewer went on to contact a provider or attend. The numbers at these later stages are small, so they are early signals rather than firm conclusions. Patients told us the main barriers were health and pain, lack of time, and digital or language access. Many said they still intended to take part.
- Local champions matter. Take-up was strongest where a practice had been involved early and closely in shaping the tool.
- A text is a good start, but not enough on its own. Patients who want to take part may need a follow-up nudge, support to use the platform, and clearer information on which sessions suit their condition.
- Physical activity needs a place in the system. Partners noted that it is not currently built into the frameworks that shape what happens in GP consultations.
- The partnership worked. Public health, primary care and London Sport working as one team was named by partners as the pilot’s clearest success.
The full project report sets out the evaluation, the evidence and our recommendations. [REPORT COMING SOON]
Although the Haringey pilot has ended, local activity providers can still add their sessions through Open Active so they appear on the Get Active page.
Open Active compliant sessions are also picked up by other platforms that use open data, so adding yours helps more people find you.