Seizing the opportunity: how community leisure can support an overburdened NHS
Respected industry professionals will explore how the community leisure sector can become a vital preventative health partner for an overstretched NHS at next month’s Elevate show.
Experts from Nuffield Health, Wave Leisure, Valley Leisure and the University of Strathclyde will consider how we can support the health sector to counteract the alarming decline in public health.
There has never been a greater need for the traditional leisure model to adapt to better meet local needs. One in four people in England live with a long-term health condition and those with two or more health conditions account for more than half of NHS costs for hospital admissions and outpatient visits as well as over three-quarters of primary care prescription costs. The numbers are expected to rise over the coming years, yet these individuals are twice as likely to be inactive, despite evidence that being active can help manage many conditions and alleviate symptoms.
As a sector, our facilities have long served as community assets for local populations, but the people who would benefit most from our services, particularly those with long-term health conditions, often face barriers to participation. Poor health and a one-size-fits-all approach to delivery present significant obstacles, while a potential ‘empathy gap’ means the perceptions of those working in our industry as well as families, friends and carers, do not necessarily align with the experiences of people living with long-term health conditions.
Hosted by Jon Hymus, managing director of Innerva, a panel of industry experts will explore how our sector can fully realise the opportunity to support public health and local communities with rehabilitation and long-term health condition pathways.
Marc Holl, head of primary care at Nuffield Health; Duncan Kerr, CEO of Wave Active; Liz Murray, partnerships development manager at Valley Leisure Ltd and Dr Andy Kerr, senior lecturer in biomedical engineering at the University of Strathclyde will outline how community leisure can help people live happier, healthier lives for longer. Key discussion points will include:
- The role of community leisure in supporting the NHS related to active wellbeing and physical activity
- Strategies for operators to engage with the NHS and developing practical, realistic solutions
- Effective examples of initiatives that support individuals with long-term health conditions and explore what more can be done.
Register for FREE to attend Elevate 2024, ExCel, London: https://www.elevatearena.com/ and join our session on how community leisure can support the NHS and improve public health on Wednesday 12th June at 3.40pm in the Collaborate Theatre.