Active Practice status linked with higher quality GP care

Encouraging people to move more is already an important part of improving health and wellbeing, but could creating a more active GP practice have wider benefits too? 

New research published in BMC Primary Care has found that GP practices accredited through the Active Practice Charter were associated with higher patient satisfaction and better Care Quality Commission (CQC) ratings than practices without accreditation. Researchers also identified a smaller positive association with Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) scores.  

The study is the first large-scale assessment of the Active Practice Charter and analysed 6,063 GP practices across England, including 523 Active Practice-accredited surgeries. Its analysis accounted for factors including practice size, socioeconomic deprivation and patient demographics.  

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Why does this matter for Hertfordshire? 

The findings add to the case for putting physical activity at the heart of primary care. 

The Active Practice Charter, created by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and Sport England, encourages practices to make simple, positive changes that help staff and patients become more active and spend less time sitting. This closely aligns with Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership’s (HSP) work with the health sector across Hertfordshire, in making movement part of everyday practice (Active Connections programme). 

Importantly, becoming an Active Practice does not have to mean introducing major new programmes. Practices can build on activity they are already doing and make manageable changes such as holding walking meetings, promoting opportunities to be active to patients, supporting staff activity challenges or linking with local walks, exercise referral schemes and other physical activity providers.  

Could your GP surgery become an Active Practice? 

Becoming an Active Practice is designed to be straightforward. To receive Active Practice status, surgeries demonstrate action in three areas: 

• Increasing physical activity among staff and patients 

• Reducing sedentary behaviour among staff and patients 

• Connecting with a local physical activity provider to help more people become active.  

And you don’t have to do it alone. 

Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) can support Hertfordshire GP practices at any stage of their Active Practice journey, from identifying activities and local partners through to achieving Active Practice status and sustaining your commitments over the longer term. 

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Ready to get started?

Find out more about becoming an Active Practice and how HSP can support you.  

Alternatively, contact the HSP Health team at hsphealth@herts.ac.uk to discuss how your practice can get involved.  

Read the full research study in BMC Primary Care.