Health Professionals
Here at Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership, we acknowledge the vital role that healthcare and allied health professionals play in starting and shaping meaningful conversations with people about moving more to improve their health and wellbeing.
SASP has collated the most useful information and resources that may be helpful, with a specific focus around adults and people living with long term health conditions in Somerset
Chief Medical Officer's Recommendations for Physical Activity:
Physical activity recommendations depend on age and circumstances. The following groups are represented separately in the recommendations and a copy can be obtained for each by clicking here or you can view and download them below.
Adults and Older Adults
Disabled Adults
Pregnant Women
Women After Childbirth (Birth to 12 Months)
Public Health England’s (PHE) Physical Activity for the Prevention and Management of Long Term conditions training:
Free training for healthcare professionals. Delivered by local expert Physical Activity Clinical Champions, this 1-3 hour peer to peer training session can be delivered at a time that suits staff and service needs. SASP is embedded in this training and on completion provides an opt in service for continued engagement to support the learning and optimise outcomes.
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP):
The CSP has created useful guidance around keeping active with 11 of the most prevalent health conditions. Click here or the image below to find out more.
Motivational interviewing:
This is a counselling method that involves enhancing a patient's motivation to change by means of four guiding principles, represented by the acronym RULE: Resist the righting reflex; Understand the patient's own motivations; Listen with empathy; and Empower the patient.
Making Every Contact Count: MECC training is offered locally in Somerset, and consists of 2 x 3 hour training sessions set a week apart and an online eLearning module. Train the trainer sessions are also offered in Somerset for those who wish to train to deliver MECC to colleagues or staff.
You can find out more by clicking here.
Here is an example of effective motivational interviewing in practice:
Pain Management
'Live Well With Pain' is a professional resource for GPs and pain specialists. It has been developed by clinicians for clinicians and is completely free to use. It's full of techniques and resources to increase skills and confidence in working with people who live with persistent pain.
Moving Medicine
"Moving Medicine is the single most important advance in therapeutics in my 50 years in medicine. The benefit to harm ratio is outstandingly favourable and every drug or psychological prescription for a long-term condition should be partnered by a Moving Medicine prescription of activity.'' - Muir Gray Kt CBE DSc MD
Movement Medicine is the ultimate resource to help healthcare professionals integrate physical activity conversations into routine clinical care.
Fit For Surgery and Beyond Infographic (PDF, 1.2 Mb)
It is important that individuals are able to choose the types of physical activity that appeal to them, and that they feel confident, willing and able to consistently engage in these activities.
Please visit our ‘Things to Do’ tab for further information on programmes and opportunities that may support your conversations with patients.
If you are working with patients registered in the Bridgwater Bay PCN, you can refer them to the SASP Health and Wellbeing coaches for support. More information here.
