06.09.16
Green prescription needed to tackle ‘cradle to grave’ health crisis
Doctors should have the ability to prescribe patients exercise to help improve their fitness, local government leaders have said.
The LGA said that GPs should have the power to write their patients a ‘green prescription’, where they prescribe moderate physical exercise for obese or overweight patients.
Under a scheme in New Zealand, which has been running since 1998, eight out of 10 GPs have prescribed exercise to their patients and 72% said it led to a positive change in their health.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, chair of the LGA’s community wellbeing board, said: “Not every visit to a GP is necessarily a medical one. By writing formal prescriptions for exercise, it would encourage people to do more physical activity.
“There are some instances where rather than prescribing a pill, advising on some type of moderate physical activity outdoors could be far more beneficial to the patient. This could be going on organised walks, conservation work with a local park group, or gardening at home.
“The green prescription model is something that could help to tackle major health conditions such as obesity and diabetes. There are already some good examples where this is being piloted in the UK, and it is something we should consider on a nationwide basis.”
In 2014, Public Health Devon and Public Health Somerset introduced a three-year pilot scheme where patients are prescribed walks in national parks.
GPs in Dorset can refer patients to the Natural Choices programme, which offers walks, sailing, conservation work and gardening.
Liverpool CCG and Liverpool council are delivering a £2.9m Liverpool Active City Strategy, which includes GP referral schemes and activities in parks to tackle obesity and improve people’s health and wellbeing.
Steven Ward, executive director of ukactive, said: “Britain is in the grip of a cradle to grave physical inactivity crisis and the great outdoors is a fantastic gateway for getting people moving again.
“Physical activity has been hailed as a miracle cure which can help to treat and prevent more than 20 lifestyle-related diseases and if GPs were to prescribe this it would bring huge benefits to people's physical and mental health.”
In March, the government announced 10 new ‘healthy towns’, where town planning will be based around combatting conditions such as obesity.
Vale of York CCG was forced to put plans to automatically postpone surgery for obese patients on hold this week after public outcry.
Last month, the government published its delayed strategy for tackling childhood obesity, but it was severely criticised for omitting major targets.
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