We are all aware the NHS is under significant pressure and faces many challenges.  The Darzi Report outlined that a shift in focus was needed to meet the needs of the population in the 21st century.

Embracing new technologies, using the wealth of data available to us to develop and target services to meet patient needs and making services accessible closer to the patient were identified as the ways forward.

But there is another shift to make. One that supports the shift from sickness to prevention and helps people live healthier, longer and more independent lives.

Physical activity is one of the best ways to do this. Promoting and encouraging physical activity supports people to maintain good health and is one of the best ways to help stave off many illnesses not to mention reducing risk factors which lead to illness.

Physical activity benefits the mind and body. Incorporating physical activity into our daily lives and routine and remaining healthy and mobile is important; even more important with our growing aging population.

As Director of Public Health, I have seen how integrating physical activity in NHS care and communities can transform health and wellbeing so people can live healthier, happier and more independent lives and this is backed by evidence.

Physical activity provides us with a safe and cost-effective solution to delay the onset and progression of disease. Stepping up our physical activity can help us prepare and recover from surgeries or illness and it can help support people back to work.

This is because moving more helps us recover faster and it helps prevent and manage the main health related causes of workplace absence and economic inactivity.

With physical inactivity estimated to contribute to one in six deaths in the UK, movement is increasingly recognised as a health priority which should be a concern for all healthcare systems according to the World Health Organisation.

I have seen some great examples across the country of collaborations between health and physical activity partners making a significant difference to patient outcomes and NHS service priorities. A couple I’ll highlight here, The Prehab4cancer supports people preparing for cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy and the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC) Fitter Better Sooner toolkit enables people to condition their body and mind for surgery.  Both demonstrate how physical activity in communities can empower people to take an active role in their health and well being.

There is great work taking place locally and some excellent initiatives, but across the system, physical activity has generally remained an underutilised tool.

As the NHS moves towards a model of community centred care, it’s important we begin to understand the importance of harnessing the benefits of physical activity. There is so much more we can do in collaboration with community partners which would make a huge difference to people and communities.

This is why NHS England, supported by partners including Sport England and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), has co-created ‘Four Ways Forward’ for integrating physical activity into the NHS to help more people live healthier, longer and more independent lives. These are:

• empowering health and care professionals to discuss the importance of physical activity with patients and signposting then to local and digital opportunities
• integrating physical activity into clinical pathways to deliver improvements in patient outcomes and deliver evidence-based care across various physical and mental health conditions as recommended in NICE clinical, condition-specific guidelines and quality standards
• supporting the NHS workforce to gain the benefits of physical activity for themselves
• supporting innovation and evaluation through collaboration with physical activity partners to influence the provision, access to and use of local assets and facilities

The Four Ways Forward are designed to support the delivery of the Government’s health ambitions and three strategic shifts.

Physical activity is an opportunity to truly transform wellbeing, harnessing a holistic approach to healthcare with communities at the centre. So, let’s capture it.