Natural England - Getting patients outdoors

Getting patients outdoors

Frontline healthcare professionals are key to identifying sedentary people and supporting them to do more physical activity. Two of Natural England's projects that work closely with healthcare professionals are the NHS Alliance pathway pilots and the Physical Activity Care Pathway.

NHS Alliance pathway pilots

What are they?

Natural England is trialling patient care plans (or 'pathways') that involve physical activity in the natural environment. This means getting the natural environment formally incorporated as part of the therapeutic and preventative treatment of sedentary patients. Six pilot projects are now underway in primary care settings.

Who's involved?

  • Natural England

  • The NHS Alliance

  • Regional public health teams

  • Local surgeries

  • Primary Care Trusts

Where are the pilots being run?

  • Thetford (Norfolk)

  • Crawley (Surrey)

  • Collumpton (Devon)

  • Rosliston (Derbyshire)

  • Carlisle (Cumbria)
    This pathway targets patients thought likely to benefit from increased physical activity, referred through GP doctors and practice nurses. Patients have been provided with a map identifying opportunities within close range of the surgery.

  • Middlesbrough (Teesside)
    This pathway features a self-referral walking leaflet.

Further information

For more details, contact Stella Goddard on 0300 060 0223 or email stella.goddard@naturalengland.org.uk

The Physical Activity Care Pathway

The Physical Activity Care Pathway is being piloted in London and will be a key entry point to walking and wider Green Exercise activities. The aim is to help sedentary patients to overcome barriers to physical activity.

The pathway is piloting a formal route for healthcare staff to identify sedentary patients, then to encourage them to take part in affordable physical activity locally though providing an activity pack. The packs given to patients include a map with a range of local physical activities, including cycle training and buggy walks.

The project links Natural England with 15 GP surgeries and key Green Exercise partners.

Further information

For more details contact Rachel Cook on 0207 932 2208 or email rachel.cook@naturalengland.org.uk

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