Where's the legacy?

Guest post: Mike Farrar, chief executive of the NHS Confederation.

This year we've witnessed the success of the greatest show on earth and we have been hearing a lot about health and wellbeing legacy-is there one? I'd argue there is and it's been created by staff in NHS organisations up and down the country.

In July 2010 myself and David Nicholson launched the NHS 2012 sport and physical activity challenge. The aim: to improve NHS staff health and wellbeing, reduce sickness absence and improve productivity using the inspirational power of London 2012, providing opportunities as part of or linked to their working day.



Why sport and physical activity and why the workplace?


When asked 'what are the barriers to you engaging in sport/physical activity?' many people cite the fact that they work full-time and don't have the time to exercise. I was keen to utilise that eight hour slot in people's working day to enable them to become more active. Not necessarily to push them in the direction of gyms or formal sporting activities but to create opportunities that engage them.


Why physical activity? The evidence base for the benefits of being active is very strong but the recent research into the impact of physical inactivity should be of greater concern to all of us.


Why sport? The power of the brand of sport to engage people in local communities cannot be underestimated. There are some fantastic examples of local rugby, football and cricket clubs collaborating to improve the health of local populations and we've collaborated with them to provide opportunities for NHS Staff in their workplace -touch rugby; NHS cricket; NHS football 5s.


Did it work?


In Leeds NHS staff clocked up more than 1million active minutes;


NHS in Somerset saved in the region of 100k by participating in the NHS Sport and Physical Activity challenge;


In NW over 60% of NHS orgs said staff were more engaged


In one London NHS org 75% of staff said:


-their attendance had improved


-More than 80% said they were finding it easier to carry out their work duties


In another NHS organisation:


-90% of staff playing sport said it improved their working relationships


-Sickness absence reduced from 4.09% to 3.78%


There is a legacy and it's created and being delivered by NHS staff.


Hear more from Mike Farrar at the Summit, 22nd November, London. Book your place now.