Stevenage GP Surgeries Earn Recognition for Promoting Active Lifestyles

Health is taking a big step forward in Stevenage. Stevenage North and Stevenage South Primary Care Networks (PCNs) have officially achieved Active Practice status under the Royal College of General Practitioners’ (RCGP) Active Practice Charter, bringing the county-wide total to an impressive 29 Active Practices across Hertfordshire. 

From Stevenage South PCN:

• Bedwell Medical Centre 

• King George & Manor House Surgeries 

• Knebworth & Marymead Medical Practice 

• Shephall Health Centre 

From Stevenage North PCN:

• Chells Way Surgery 

• Stanmore Road Health Centre 

• St Nicholas Health Centre 

• Symonds Green Health Centre 

The achievement marks a major milestone in the collaboration between the Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) and local healthcare teams, working to embed physical activity into everyday healthcare and to get both staff and patients moving more. 

The Active Practice Charter isn’t just about encouraging a lunchtime stroll - it’s about a culture shift within GP surgeries. Both Stevenage PCNs appointed dedicated staff to champion the initiative, implementing creative, impactful strategies with support from HSP. 

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Staff wellbeing: Increasing activity and reducing sedentary behaviour 

• Stevenage South hosted energising staff wellbeing events featuring guest speakers, chair-based exercises, and participation in local Hertfordshire Health Walks. 

• Stevenage North introduced adjustable standing desks, whilst both PCNs got involved in the Active Connections Hub, a free online tool where staff track activity and challenge other surgeries in friendly competition. 

• Cycle-to-work schemes, secure bike parking, and local event participation (like the colourful Rainbow Run at Ridlins Park) made physical activity a daily norm for staff. 

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Moving patients toward better health 

• Both PCNs successfully utilise their personalised care teams in actively making referrals to local exercise referral and weight management programmes, as well as having a wealth of knowledge on local activities to signpost patients too. 

• Promotion of the Moving More Activity Finder to refer patients to local or home-based activities and embedding the Activity Finder on their PCN or practice webpage. 

• From being a parkrun practice to sending targeted invites to patients on local exercise sessions, Stevenage surgeries are putting movement at the core of recovery and prevention. 

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Partnering with local providers and building stronger community ties 

Crucial to the success of the initiative has been partnership working. Local leisure providers offered discounted memberships for NHS staff, while events like Health Action Day and Stevenage Day gave PCNs a platform to share health advice with the wider community. 

Meanwhile, HSP provided support through Active Medicine training, local physical activity data, Active Practice workshops and interactive quizzes to make learning about movement fun and engaging during staff training sessions. 

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“We are thrilled to have all five of our PCN practices accredited with the Active Practice Charter! Physical activity and social interaction bring so many benefits, and our patients and staff teams have really taken to the new initiatives and ideas. We look forward to doing even more in the future.”  

- Matt Charles, Chief Operating Officer for Stevenage Healthcare & PCN Manager for Stevenage South PCN 

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What’s next? 

With 29 Active Practices now operating across the county, Hertfordshire is becoming a leader in bringing movement into medicine; one step at a time. 

If you are part of a GP practice looking to embed physical activity initiatives, why not start a conversation with HSP and begin your journey to becoming an Active Practice. Find out more by emailing hsphealth@herts.ac.uk