leader


Welcome... New strategies to tackle public health issues


Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is demonstrating a significant contribution to the promised London 2012 legacy by bringing together elite athletes, professional sports, education, new skills and applied research into health and wellbeing.


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LAST month, the UK became the first country in the world to appoint a minister for suicide prevention. Having recently visited a loved one in one of the UK’s many under-funded mental health units and witnessed the appalling lack of support of offer for those suffering mental health problems, I applaud the appointment for putting mental health firmly on the government’s agenda. What the new minister will actually achieve remains to be seen.


Around 4,500 people take their own lives each year in England and suicide remains the leading cause of death for men under 45. In her new role, health minister Jackie Doyle-Price aims to cut the number of suicides and overcome the stigma that stops people seeking help.


In the same month, the government launched its first strategy to tackle social isolation – driven by Tracey Crouch, the world’s first minster for loneliness - which will see all GPs in England able to refer patients experiencing loneliness to community activities and voluntary services by 2023.


Editor Vicky Kiernander


Sales director Julian Walter


National sales manager Tammy Breese


Production Gina Mitchell


Design Sandra Cid


Managing director Toby Filby


This ‘social prescribing’ will allow GPs to direct patients to community workers offering tailored support to help people improve their health and wellbeing, instead of defaulting to medicine. Patients will be connected to a variety of activities including walking clubs and exercise classes in an effort to reduce demand on the NHS and improve patients’ quality of life.


Everyone working in our sector knows the potential of sport and physical activity to change lives. We have seen how our facilities, programmes and activities can encourage activity and improve self esteem, reduce anxiety and help people to connect with others. We also have countless pieces of research to evidence the benefits of physical activity. I hope these new ministers will recognise the fantastic work taking place in the sector and the critical role physical activity can play in tackling these issues as they put their strategies into practice.


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