Fat and unfit NHS patients are to be prescribed country walks rather than be prescribed anti-obesity drugs. A pilot scheme is being run from six London GP practices where GPs will send patients on health walks and collect data to gauge how this improves their fitness. The findings will be submitted to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence; the formal approval of this body is required if the scheme is to be rolled out nationally.
The Department of Health is working with the British Heart Foundation and Natural England, the newly created government conservation watchdog, the brief of which includes encouraging the use of the countryside and green spaces. The idea is that doctors will write a prescription for walks or cycle rides, tailored to the needs and physical fitness of the individual patient. Patients would take the prescription to charities such as the Ramblers Association or local authority agencies who would record that the patient had attended and report back to the prescribing GP.
The financial cost to the NHS of inactivity is huge. It is believed that obesity and related conditions such as heart disease and diabetes cost the NHS around £29 billion a year. The ultimate intention is that this sort of prescription will be used in tandem with dietary advice, replacing anti-obesity drugs which cost the NHS millions each year.