A new trial to improve mental and physical health and reduce disparities across the country will see social prescriptions such as walking, wheeling, and cycling be offered by GPs.
The government has awarded £12.7 million in multi-year funding to 11 local authority areas. These are: Bath and North East Somerset, Bradford, Cornwall, Cumbria, Doncaster, Gateshead, Leeds, Nottingham, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Staffordshire.
GPs to give out social prescriptions
The pilot schemes will be delivered between 2022 and 2025 with ‘ongoing monitoring and evaluation to support continued learning.’ The government departments and agencies involved include NHS England, Sport England, National Academy for Social Prescribing, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Defra, and Department for Health and Social Care.
The funding will go towards several pilot projects in each location including adult cycle training, free bike loans, and walking groups. According to the government, these pilots must be delivered alongside improved infrastructure so people feel safe to cycle and walk.
All-ability cycling taster days will also take place, which allows people who may not have cycled before to try it in a friendly environment.
MPs back social prescpritions
Trudy Harrison, the Walking and Cycling Minister, explained that walking and cycling have ‘so many benefits’ such as improving air quality to reducing congestion.’ Harrison stated that it also has ‘an enormous positive impact’ on physical and mental health.’
Meanwhile, Minister for Health, Maria Caulfield, also said that getting active is ‘hugely beneficial for both our mental and physical health.’
‘The UK is leading the way in embedding social prescribing in our NHS and communities across the country. We’ve already exceeded our target to ensure over 900,000 people are referred to social prescribing schemes by 2023-24 and this pilot will help us identify further schemes to reduce disparities and boost mental and physical wellbeing across the country,’ she said.
The pilots will evaluate the impact of cycling and walking on one’s health. This includes whether or not it reduces the amount of GP appointments and reliance on medication due to more physical activity. Gov.uk states: ‘For the first time, transport, active travel and health officials will work together towards a whole systems approach to health improvement and tackling health disparities.’