§ Dr. Richard TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement about funding that his Department makes available for sports projects which improve public health; [72237]
(2) if he will make a statement on the role of sport and physical recreation within plans to improve public health; [72238]
(3) what guidance is available to primary care trusts on developing partnerships with sport and recreation bodies; and if he will encourage the formation of such partnerships. [72236]
§ Ms BlearsIncreasing participation in sport and physical recreation has an important role to play in raising the rates of physical activity and improving public health. The importance of physical activity is recognised in the NHS Plan and national service frameworks. The national service framework (NSF) for coronary heart disease (CHD) requires the National Health Service, working closely with local authorities, to develop local programmes of effective policies on increasing physical activity.
The Health Development Agency has issued guidance to support the preventive aspects of the NSF for CHD. The document contained examples of effective interventions and set out who should be involved in the development of these programmes, including sport and leisure partners. Last year, we also published a national quality assurance framework for exercise referral systems. These schemes rely on close liaison and partnership working between health and leisure professionals.
347WWe recently announced the launch of a new £2.5 million programme on exercise, which is being developed with Sport England and the Countryside Agency. The work forms part of a partnership between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Health. The money will be used to set up nine pilots, based in neighbourhood renewal areas, which will test out different community approaches, including sports and active recreation projects, to increasing physical activity.