Agenda item

Update on Get Doncaster Moving - A Whole Systems Approach to Addressing Inactivity

Minutes:

The Board received a presentation by Clare Henry which outlined the work that had been taking place in 2019 predominantly from the work overseen by the Get Doncaster Moving Programme and Advisory Boards.

 

During subsequent discussion, Board Members reflected on their organisations’ roles in addressing inactivity and whether they were doing enough to address this significant challenge. 

 

Jo McDonough outlined some of the ways that RDaSH was encouraging physical activity.  From a staff perspective, she explained that RDaSH promoted walking and running clubs, and organised walking competitions.  She felt, however, that with regard to service users, there was scope for greater engagement, while acknowledging that certain services such as cardiac rehabilitation did promote physical activity.

 

Councillor Nuala Fennelly stated that under her Cabinet portfolio for Children, Young People and Schools, she encouraged schools to do more to promote physical activity.  She also stressed the importance of local exercise classes, which she felt helped to reduce the number of visits made to GPs, but highlighted that sustainability was an issue, as often these classes came to an end when funding ran out and people were left disappointed.

 

Dr David Crichton advised that he was pleased to represent the DCCG on the Get Doncaster Moving Board.  He then outlined some of the initiatives that the DCCG was involved in, including supporting Sport England’s and the Royal College of GPs’ Active Practice Charter, which was aimed at increasing activity and reducing sedentary behaviour in patients and staff.  Dr Crichton also reported that GP training sessions had been organised as part of the Fit Rovers scheme, a free health and fitness programme funded by the CCG in partnership with Doncaster Rovers Football Club.  He also advised that online training was currently being tested, which would enable clinicians to provide more support for people in relation to advising them on how they could improve their health through being more active.

 

Richard Parker informed the Board that Karen Barnard, Director of People and Organisational Development, was the lead officer on this at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH).   He stated that the DBTH had received a platinum award last year for staff health and wellbeing through its ‘Wellbeing at Work’ programme.  He explained that DBTH endeavoured to create an environment where staff were able to exercise easily.

 

Phil Holmes felt that, from a staff perspective, working conditions greatly influenced participation levels in relation to exercise and being active.  He stressed the need to make improvements to the way in which organisations worked in order to help staff be less sedentary.

 

In response to a question with regard to future plans in relation to parks and open spaces, Clare Henry explained that a significant amount of work was being done in this area, including holding workshops and conducting parks surveys, and drawing up bespoke Park Plans for 10-15 parks which had been identified as being within 1km of deprived areas.

 

After further discussion, during which the Chair explained that Councillor Nigel Ball had been proactive in trying to encourage elected members to be more active, it was

 

          RESOLVED to note the presentation and the contents of the Get Doncaster Moving Annual Report 2019.

 

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