It’s just what the doctor ordered... walking and cycling on prescription
DOCTORS could ‘socially prescribe’ walking and cycling to more West Midland patients after a pilot scheme showed improvements in physical and mental health.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has been handed £98,000 by the Department for Transport to develop a three-year ‘social prescribing’ pilot across the region.
It is designed to tackle health inequality by offering patients with health conditions in disadvantaged communities free cycling and walking activities, such as walking groups, free bikes and cycle training.
A pilot in Birmingham and the Black Country last summer saw 79 GPs help over 560 patients through targeted support.
One of those who took part in the scheme was Art Gilchrist, 53, from Bordesley Green. He was put in contact with local link worker Leila Yafai from The Active Wellbeing Society by his GP following an injury before the pandemic.
He joined a local walking group to help him get active and meet others and found his confidence, social skills and mental and physical health improved greatly.
Now he has become a volunteer himself to support others.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, WMCA’s Wellbeing Board chair and leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “We are exploring innovative ways to tackle key health issues, including obesity, poor health, inactivity and
loneliness. A programme like this will not only create opportunities for people to travel actively, build confidence and improve their wellbeing, it will also help connect people to the new walking and cycling routes which will be delivered across the region this year.”
The programme will see GPs and link workers develop a bespoke programme of activity based on the needs of the local community.
Patients will be able to join walking or cycling groups at their local practice or community.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “Last year I witnessed firsthand how this programme can benefit
our communities and change lives, and I am keen we now look to roll it out across the whole region.
“Securing this funding is another step forward in making that happen, and I hope that as we develop this initiative we can continue to successfully tackle some of the West Midlands’ underlying health issues and become the first region in the UK to adopt this approach.
“Not only does cycling and walking help to improve people’s mental and physical health, as well as their quality of life more generally, it also helps us in reducing air pollution and tackling the climate emergency.”
Adam Tranter, West Midlands
Cycling and Walking Commissioner, said: “Cycling and walking can be transformative to people’s health and when people lead active lives, it has the potential to reduce strain on our NHS.
“Our initial pilot showed huge potential and I hope that we can roll this out across the region with additional funding.”
The report findings are due to be completed in spring 2022 and will measure results compared to traditional medical interventions. The results will form part of a wider funding bid to make social prescribing available to patients across the whole of the West Midlands in 2023.