The Active Practice Charter is a fun, easy way to make some simple but impactful changes in your practice that will demonstrate to your patients and staff that you mean it when you say that movement is the best medicine. Achieving the RCGP Active Practice Charter is something to be celebrated, and shared widely with staff, patients, and the wider community. It's a great example of social prescribing 'in action', and an excellent case study for the CQC. Healthy professionals make healthy patients.
How to Become an Active Practice
It's free to join and there are lots of simple and creative ideas to help you meet the criteria. All you need to do is sign up and demonstrate you have taken steps in the practice to:
- Reduce sedentary behaviour in staff
- Reduce sedentary behaviour in patients
- Increase physical activity in staff
- Increase physical activity in patients
- Partner with a local physical activity provider
Many Practices who have embraced the approach have noted benefits in staff morale, patient health and engagement.
The initiative does not have to be led by a GP partner, or even a doctor – you may have a member of your non-clinical practice team who would be best placed to lead the initiative. Medical students, GP trainees, your social prescriber, first contact physiotherapist, a receptionist or one of the PPG team – anyone can instigate change.
To find out more information at the Royal College of GPs Physical Activity Hub.
