A national network of expert Physical Activity Clinical Champions are delivering free, tailored, peer to peer 1-3 hours training sessions to groups of healthcare professionals (HCPs).

Around 1 in 3 men and half of women are not achieving recommended levels of activity for good health, with people with long term conditions twice as likely to be amongst the least active. Physical activity is incorporated across NICE clinical guidance, with evidence suggesting 1 in 4 people would be more active if advised by a GP or nurse.

This free training, which can be delivered at a time and location to suit local needs, will support healthcare professionals to improve patient care and outcomes by developing knowledge, confidence and frequency of patient physical activity conversations.

The training provides the opportunity to:

• Access evidence-based resources proven to increase knowledge and confidence, and support clinical practice in line with guidance (e.g. NICE)
• Improve management of 30+ long-term conditions (e.g. CVD, type 2 diabetes, depression, MSK issues, some cancers).
• Help reduce service demand and costs i.e. the ~£0.9bn annual cost to the NHS associated with insufficient physical activity

The training is offered to healthcare professionals across Sheffield provided they can gather at least 12 HCPs and/or trainee HCPs for training and have space to hold the training. As long as 12 HCPs are present any other staff are welcome to attend the session. 

Over 22,000 healthcare professionals have received the training to date across England.

Staff at Sloan Medical Centre in Sheffield undertook the training 18 months ago. Dr Rachel Savage, GP at Sloan Medical Centre, said: “I remember the training well.  It helped to highlight to me the importance of recommending physical activity to our patients.  I was already talking about the benefits of exercise to a degree but now find myself recommending increased activity more and more.”

Katie Whitehead, Practice Nurse at The Hollies Medical Centre took part in the training in November 2019, watch the short video of her feedback.  

Dr Andy Douglas, GP at White House Surgery, is a Physical Activity Clinical Champion who delivers the training in Sheffield. Watch the short video of Andy explaining how the training works. 

For more information about the training, including how to book, please see the leaflet here.