Multi-year funding plan for GPs to prescribe active travel laid out
The UK Government has today set out a vision to see GPs prescribe active travel to patients, with £12.7 million in funding made available to drive healthy habit changes.
Trials across 11 areas will now go forwards with doctors able to offer free bike loans, place patients on adult cycle training courses and recommend clients join walking groups, all in a bid to engage people in building exercise into their lifestyles.
The areas chosen for the trials are all regions where there is a perception that safe infrastructure is developing to greater enable people onto two wheels. The pilots will run from now until 2025, with ongoing monitoring and evaluation to measure progress.
The 11 local authority areas that will trial social prescriptions are:
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bradford
- Cornwall
- Cumbria
- Doncaster
- Gateshead
- Leeds
- Nottingham
- Plymouth
- Suffolk
- Staffordshire
The idea was first mooted in the Government’s Gear Change document, published in 2020. The hope is that prescribing active travel could reduce the need for GP appointments and reliance on medication. The ambition draws on several Government departments and agencies, including NHS England, Sport England, Defra, The Department for Health and Social Care, The National Academy for Social Prescribing and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
Walking and Cycling Minister, Trudy Harrison, said: ”Walking and cycling has so many benefits – from improving air quality in our communities to reducing congestion on our busiest streets.
“It also has an enormous positive impact on physical and mental health, which is why we have funded these projects which will get people across the country moving and ease the burden on our NHS.”
Minister for Health, Maria Caulfield, added: “Getting active is hugely beneficial for both our mental and physical health – helping reduce stress and ward off other illness such as heart disease and obesity.
“The UK is leading the way in embedding social prescribing in our NHS and communities across the country. We’ve already exceeded our target to ensure over 900,000 people are referred to social prescribing schemes by 2023-24 and this pilot will help us identify further schemes to reduce disparities and boost mental and physical wellbeing across the country.”
National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: “As a nation we need healthier, cheaper and more pleasant ways to get around for everyday trips. Active Travel England’s mission is to ensure millions of people nationwide can do just that – so it’s easier to leave the car at home and to enjoy the benefits that come with it.
“Moving more will lead to a healthier nation, a reduced burden on the NHS, less cancer, heart disease and diabetes, as well as huge cost savings. This trial aims to build on existing evidence to show how bringing transport, active travel and health together can make a positive impact on communities across England.”
To read more about Government strategy for cycling and walking you can see the finer points of the CWIS2 document here.
