A Vision for a Healthier Future: Our Response to the NHS Consultation

The NHS is at a critical juncture. With growing pressures on hospital care and increasing demand for services, the Change NHS consultation, focused on the three shifts the government wants to see in healthcare, represents a vital opportunity to rethink how care is delivered. These shifts include moving care closer to communities, making better use of technology, and focusing on preventing illness rather than just treating it.

At Together Active, we responded to this consultation to help shape the direction of travel and ensure that physical activity is designed into this work from the outset. We believe the future of healthcare lies not only in treating illness but in preventing it, and physical activity is a transformative tool to achieve this.

Key Recommendations

1. Embedding Physical Activity in Healthcare

Physical activity must be a standard practice in healthcare, integrated into prevention and recovery pathways. By prioritising movement over medication where appropriate, we can prevent and manage chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease and depression, accelerate recovery, and reduce loneliness. Locally tailored programmes have the power to transform individual wellbeing and strengthen community resilience, creating a healthier, more connected society.

2. Investing in Community Partnerships

Community organisations are the backbone of meaningful, sustainable health improvements. They understand the unique needs of their populations and are trusted to deliver support where it’s needed most. However, to thrive, these organisations need stable, long-term funding that reflects the true costs of delivery. The NHS must prioritise partnerships with local charities to amplify preventative care and reduce demand on hospitals, ensuring that healthcare solutions are both accessible and relevant.

3. Strengthening Cross-Sector Collaboration

Healthcare doesn’t exist in isolation. Health outcomes are deeply influenced by factors like housing, employment, and education. By fostering collaboration across sectors, the NHS can create a society-wide culture of health. Imagine neighbourhoods designed for active lifestyles, workplaces that promote movement, and schools where physical activity is woven into daily routines. This holistic approach would support healthier communities and reduce preventable illnesses, easing the strain on NHS services.

Tackling Key Challenges

While our vision is ambitious, we also recognise the challenges ahead:

• Funding Instability: Short-term funding cycles create uncertainty and disrupt vital community services.
• Data Accessibility: Simplified, secure systems for sharing relevant data between the NHS and community organisations are crucial for effective, integrated care.
• Digital Divide: Many community organisations lack the infrastructure and digital skills to fully participate in technological advancements. Targeted support is needed to bridge this gap.

Aligning with NHS Shifts

The NHS consultation proposes three systemic shifts, which Together Active wholeheartedly supports:

1. Moving Care Closer to Communities: By empowering local organisations and embedding physical activity into community settings, care becomes more accessible and preventative.
2. Leveraging Digital Technology: Simplifying NHS systems and supporting digital skills within communities can unlock new ways to deliver care.
3. Shifting Focus from Treatment to Prevention: Investing in preventative health measures, like promoting physical activity, will reduce future reliance on hospital-based care.

Policy Ideas for Change

To make this vision a reality, we’ve proposed the following timeline for action:

• Short Term (Next Year): Integrate physical activity into primary care pathways and prioritise it as a first-line intervention for common conditions.
• Medium Term (2–5 Years): Establish sustainable funding streams for community organisations and create streamlined, secure data-sharing systems.
• Long Term (5+ Years): Build cross-sector partnerships that address the root causes of poor health and establish a Right to Physical Activity framework to ensure everyone has access to safe, affordable spaces for movement.

Building a Healthier Future

Together Active envisions a healthcare system where physical activity is not an afterthought but a fundamental part of prevention and recovery. A system where communities are empowered, partnerships thrive, and cross-sector collaboration drives sustained health improvements.

We know change won’t happen overnight, but by working together, we can build a healthier, more equitable future for all. Physical activity must become a cornerstone of health in the NHS and beyond.