STORY
A cross-party committee of MPs has said physical activity should be treated as seriously as medication in NHS care for older people. The Health and Social Care Committee warned that deteriorating leisure facilities and the lack of a coherent national strategy were limiting opportunities to embed physical activity in community-based care.
The committee said partnerships between health services, leisure providers and community groups can support long-term condition management, improve wellbeing and reduce pressure on hospitals. It welcomed the Government’s £400m announcement for grassroots sports facilities but said the money must be used strategically.
Committee chair Layla Moran said promoting active lifestyles among older people would support two policy objectives at once: shifting the NHS towards prevention and bringing services closer to home. The findings are likely to be relevant to councils because local authorities are central to leisure provision, public health and community services.