spear was commissioned to evaluate the Active Medicine in Practice (AMiP) project, The evaluation explored medical practices’ experiences of the project and their perceptions of the value of support provided to enable them to achieve APC status. The evaluation also explored Regional Leads’ experiences and perceptions of providing support to practices.

The Active Medicine™ programme started as a collaborative learning and innovation project funded by Sport England and delivered in partnership by three Active Partnerships: Get Berkshire Active, Active Oxfordshire and Leap. The pilot and evaluation phase focused on upskilling health and social care workforces with the knowledge, skills and confidence to promote physical activity, but evolved to encapsulate three elements: education, resources, and support. Through support and additional funding that the Active Medicine in Practice (AMiP) project was developed.

Key Findings

• Practices engaged in AMiP project to reflect their commitment to the wellbeing of their team, their patients and their community
• Practice staff were encouraged to take active breaks, join walks and activity sessions, hold standing or walking meetings, use standing desks and activity equipment, attend Parkrun and community settings and get active in their local environment
• Early initiatives included active coffee mornings and talks by local providers to raise awareness of activity opportunities , build relationships, and facilitate engagement
• Practice commend the AMiP project and support. The APC criteria gave practices clear objectives to achieve while Regional Lead support enabled them to achieve these objectives in ways that worked for their staff, their patients and their community
• Check-ins and accountability by and to Regional Leads kept practices on track, re-focused attention where required, and helped practices find workable solutions to challenges experienced. Staff are unanimous in their assertion that Regional Lead support has been key to achievement of APC status
• Training facilitated by the AMiP project was received positively by practice staff. Attendees report the training was well-designed and met their needs. Practice leads advocate timely ‘whole-team’ training to assist achievement of APC status through staff buy-in and support for changes made

Date: October 2022

Client: Get Berkshire Active

“It’s about improving the health of employees. Staff wellbeing is really important, and exercise is an important part of that” – GP, Oxford