Features
Public health issues
Working in an area with so many diff ering needs,
I sometimes fi nd it hard to join up all of the strategic targets and outcomes. However, there is one thing I take for granted. Increasing physical activity participation for those that are likely to experience the most benefi t is crucial. T ere is no point in moving those who are active four or fi ve times a week to do even more, as this will have limited impact on the major health issues. If we successfully target those who are least active or sedentary (less than three times a week at a moderate intensity for 30 minutes) we are likely to achieve the participation shift required. Moving people through a continuum process, one
that is matched to the local geography, demographics and population segments, will provide a much improved off er to those least active. Delivering the same programmes of off er to the masses willing to pay in time and money might be the easy way to do things. But whoever said easy was the best way to do things?
COMPETITION? In the new plans for the NHS, a term is used that will either send a shiver of fear down the spines of strategic leaders or will act to harness the joint power of local services to meet the challenge the term raises. ‘Any qualifi ed provider’ is an addition to the local NHS commissioning armoury that will encourage organisations to think diff erently. T e ‘any qualifi ed provider’ term is nothing new but it does come at a time when many are reviewing their strategic intentions and delivery priorities. T is might be the tug or shove some need to get them to look at their operations and off ers diff erently. As a commissioner, I am not looking for the private
sector to deliver all the services I procure. I am simply looking to ensure there is an equal playing fi eld for all to commit their eff orts in achieving increased participation at an assured level of quality – an off er that is evidence based, cost effi cient, eff ective and has the best chance of improving the health of those in most need. To stand still in a time of un-precedented change is a no-go. Adapt and change is becoming the must do.
28« May 2011 Sportphysical activity &
ABOVE LEFT Getting the message across
ABOVE RIGHT A level playing fi eld… provision of facilities for exercise needs joined-up thinking
My main aim in this series was to encourage
colleagues and peers to stop for a moment and look at what they are doing in terms of addressing the ‘health’ agenda. Local priorities will override national priorities, especially in light of the changing dynamics of decision-making within local government, public health and the local NHS. To tackle health, we need to ensure we are
delivering things that work, and investing eff ort and time in activities informed by evidence and best practice. We need to demonstrate that suitable competencies, skills and understanding exist, so
WE NEED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT SUITABLE COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND UNDERSTANDING EXIST SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE CONFIDENCE TO PURCHASERS
purchasers can be confi dent that we can provide the services off ered and meet the needs of those who will benefi t most. Tested and assured activities at the local level,
and designed pathways to enable ease of navigation through the physical activity continuum must be available. We need to understand the cost and likely eff ectiveness of the activities we deliver so that we can ensure all of the achievable impacts and outcomes. And we need activity delivered to contribute to measurable, long term behaviour change. T erefore, we may need to reevaluate how we look
About the author: Carl Bennett, FIMSPA, is a senior health improvement specialist with Stoke-on-Trent NHS Trust
at information and statistics presented to us and ask for interpretation if required. We then need to use that knowledge to inform operational decisions and programme design. Whatever activities we provide need to best represent the needs of the communities we should be providing for. After all, if the physical activity sector doesn’t provide a quality service for those who we know are in most need of opportunities, and who have the most to gain, then who will?
www.imspa.co.uk
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