In May 2005 the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence launched a Public Health Intervention - Physical Activity consultation.

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The Government's Road Safety Bill will get its 2nd reading in the House of Commons on 11 January 2005. The Safer Streets Coalition Briefing Paper - Road Safety Needs a New Vision - sets out its views on the Bill and what it would like to see amended.

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In July 2004, the DHSSPS launched its Physical Activity Strategy and Action Plan consultation. This consultation aimed to promote the benefits of regular physical activity and to encourage everyone in Northern Ireland to participate in daily activity, with particular emphasis on those who are inactive.

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In May 2004, the DH and DCMS launched the Choosing health? Choosing activity consultation. The consultation presented an opportunity to identify action and clarify roles and responsibilities for improving physical activity levels, within the context of the overall health improvement debate set by Choosing Health?

Also see:
NHF's response to Choosing health?
NHF's response to Choosing health? Choosing a better diet

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The Welsh Assembly government launched a consultation on a vision for the future of sport and active recreation in Wales for the next twenty years. The document positions sport as an investment and a powerful tool for a healthier and better Wales.

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Consultation on the key messages and proposals for a strategy to promote and encourage walking. This builds on previous work in this area by the department for transport and transport 2003: Encouraging Walking and Walking - the way ahead.

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In February 2003 the Scottish Executive launched a consultation document on a walking strategy for Scotland. The document aimed to establish the policy principles underpinning the Executive's stance on walking and the part it could play in contributing to national policy objectives. Among other things, the document sought views on national versus local targets or indicators for walking; policy areas which could benefit from walking strategies; measures to encourage walking; and the roles of the voluntary and business sectors in promoting walking. Consultation closed in May. For further information see: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/culture/wsfs-00.asp

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In December 2002 the strategy unit and department for culture, media and sport jointly published Game plan - a strategy which aims to improve the nation's health by combating the 'couch potato' culture and to produce more success in the international sporting arena. For further information see:
http://www.strategy.gov.uk/2002/sport/report.shtml

In November 2002, the Welsh Assembly Government launched a healthy and active lifestyles action plan for consultation. The action plan aims to increase levels of physical activity in Wales through a programme of government led proposals and makes recommendations for action at the local level. It focuses particularly on the needs of those who currently exercise the least, as well as those who have the most to gain from increased activity. Consultation closes on 31 January 2003. For further information see: http://www.wales.gov.uk/keypubconsultation/index.htm

In July 2002 the Welsh Assembly launched a consultation to inform the development of a strategy and action plans on walking and cycling in Wales. The strategy aims to encourage provision and increased use of travel facilities, support sustainable development, reduce adverse impact of motorised traffic and encourage healthy life styles. For further information see:
www.wales.gov.uk/subitransport/content/consultation/walking/default-e.htm

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In June 2002 the physical activity taskforce of the Scottish Executive published its strategy for physical activity for consultation. The report makes recommendations which are consistent with the five main strategies of the 'Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion' (1996): building healthy public policy, creating supportive environments, strengthening community action, developing personal skills and directing health services towards the people who need them most. Consultation closes on 13 September 2002. For further information see www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/PATF/

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National standards for GP exercise referral schemes were published by the Department of Health in April.

The national quality assurance framework encourages GPs, primary care nurses and fitness professionals to offer supervised referral programmes to patients likely to benefit, particularly those with coronary heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

The guidance draws out the options for either recommending a patient for physical activity or making a referral, and discusses the different medical and legal implications of these options. Referrals will be limited to programmes run by exercise and leisure professionals with appropriate qualifications and indemnity insurance.

Exercise Referral Systems: a National Quality Assurance Framework is available at www.doh.gov.uk/exercisereferrals

Schools with good records in PE and school sport report higher achievement across the curriculum, better school attendance figures and improved pupil behaviour according to a survey by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. The study, conducted as part of the post national curriculum review, targeted schools identified as being successful in PE and school sport.

The report’s findings come as the government calls for a minimum requirement of two hours PE and games a week. Almost three quarters of the schools included in the survey already meet this aspiration. Strategies to drive up standards of PE and sport in schools, and encourage children’s enjoyment and participation are a vital way of raising levels of physical activity.

This and other evidence from the QCA is being taken into account by the NHF young@heart initiative, suggesting ways in which the additional benefits in terms of academic performance and behaviour can be engaged to support policy recommendations for greater investment in PE and games in schools.

The survey findings are available at www.qca.org.uk/ca/subjects/pe/pess.asp