Promoting physical activity for primary care teams

Research shows there is a definite link between physical activity and reducing the risk of heart disease. With this in mind a physical activity toolkit for primary care teams has been launched to put physical activity on the agenda for teams working in the primary care setting.

The Physical activity toolkit for primary care, commissioned by the Health Promotion Agency on behalf of the Northern Ireland Physical Activity Strategy Implementation Group (NIPAIG), is for health professionals, including GPs, practice nurses, district nurses, health visitors and occupational therapists, so they can inform, promote and trigger action on physical activity.

Speaking during the launch Dr Paula Kilbane, Chief Executive of the Eastern Health and Social Services Board, said: "This toolkit has been specifically tailored for the Northern Ireland population and highlights the value of physical activity for health. It also gives the primary care team guidance on how best to promote the physical activity message to their patients.

"In Northern Ireland seven out of ten men and eight out of ten women do not take enough physical activity to benefit their health. This is a shocking statistic for people who are sedentary as they are putting their health at risk.

"Primary care staff are in an ideal position to tell patients who have been inactive that they do not need to rush out, join a gym and do vigorous workouts which can be off-putting. Instead, simple forms of moderate activity, such as, gardening, housework or brisk walking, on most days of the week will make a difference.

"Increasing the amount of physical activity can help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, bowel cancer, osteoporosis, help control body weight and for older people it is a means of remaining mobile and independent, " said Dr Kilbane.

Prior to publication the toolkit was piloted with local health professionals.
The majority of those involved in the pilot said that as a result of the training they were better informed and would raise the issue of the benefits of physical activity with their patients more often.

Dr Kilbane concluded: "The primary care team have face-to-face contact on a regular basis with the public, especially GPs and nurses, as they are more likely to be involved in clinics with people who would benefit from physical activity and would be able to provide the relevant advice and support."

Training for each health board area will take place to ensure as many people as possible will benefit from the information contained in this resource.

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