Unlocking the Power of Movement: NHS Calls for Bold Action on Physical Activity

In a powerful new statement, NHS England has laid down an ambitious challenge to the health sector: it's time to radically rethink how we use physical activity as a tool for better health. 

The NHS England Position Statement on Physical Activity, released March 2025, makes it clear—being physically active isn't just good for us, it’s essential. Citing a growing body of evidence, the NHS is urging health leaders and care professionals to take a far more ambitious approach to embedding movement into every stage of healthcare and everyday life. 

“Physical activity is essential to health and wellbeing and there is overwhelming evidence that the benefits of physical activity far outweigh any risks for both adults and children, even for those with a long-term health condition. Embedding physical activity into every aspect of life-long healthcare will benefit patients, NHS staff and the wider population”. 

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The Case for Change: Sedentary Lifestyles Are Taking a Toll 

As society becomes more sedentary, the consequences are becoming increasingly hard to ignore: 

• Over one-third of adults in the UK fail to meet the Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines on aerobic physical activity. 

• Physical inactivity contributes to nearly 1 in 10 premature deaths from coronary heart disease, and 1 in 6 deaths from all causes in the UK. 

• A 2019 report from Sport England and Sheffield Hallam University found physical activity contributes over £9.5 billion in value to the UK economy annually, including £5.2 billion in healthcare savings and £1.7 billion in social care savings. 

The NHS statement points to physical activity as a critical factor in preventing, managing, and treating a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. 

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Four Ways Forward for a More Active Nation 

To realise the full potential of movement as medicine, the NHS has outlined four strategies: 

1. Empowering Health and Care Professionals 

Equip NHS staff with the tools, training, and confidence to talk to patients about physical activity—especially those managing long-term conditions. 

2. Integrating Physical Activity into Clinical Pathways 

With physical activity already recommended in 98 NICE guidelines, the NHS is advocating for exercise to become a standard part of care, not a supplement to it. 

3. Supporting the NHS Workforce 

Promote physical activity among NHS staff both on and off the clock through the NHS Health and Wellbeing Framework. 

4. Supporting innovation and evaluation with partners 

Strengthen collaboration between the NHS and the physical activity sector to develop innovative solutions and rigorously evaluate their impact. 

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NHS England’s message is clear: movement is not optional, it’s vital. Now, the real work begins in turning policy into practice and energising a healthier, more active nation. 

To see the new NHS England physical activity webpages in full, click here.  

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Local Action Taken in Hertfordshire 

The Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership’s (HSP), Active Connections  programme is already working to embed physical activity into primary and secondary care settings. By using resources like the RCGP Active Practice Charter and Moving Medicine’s clinical tools, we’re helping frontline professionals prescribe movement with confidence. We can attend learning days at a time and date that suits you to deliver targeted training to support the NHS’s goals as well as working with you 1:1 to support you in creating a sustainable action plan to embed physical activity into your health organisation. 

To learn more about HSP’s approach or get involved, contact: hsphealth@herts.ac.uk.