Health Decision and Policy Makers

HEALTH DECISION & POLICY MAKERS

There are a number of bodies whom influence the decisions and policy within the health field in Surrey:

The Physical Activity Alliance
Surrey Physical Activity Deliverers Group

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ALLIANCE

Vision 'To make Surrey a healthier, more active county'

To increase the percentage of Surrey's population meeting the government's recommended level of participation in sport and physical activity:

60 minutes per day for children and young people
30 minutes five times a week for adults

Representatives from the Primary Care Trusts, Active Surrey Sports Partnership, National Governing Bodies, Local Authority Leisure Departments, Education and the voluntary sector, meet on a quarterly basis to ensure a co-ordinated, strategic, population-based approach to increasing physical activity in Surrey. The Alliance takes its direction from SEPACT, the South East Physical Activity Co-ordinating Team. This team have been tasked with delivering the government's agenda to promote and increase the level of physical activity in the region. SEPACT provides the leadership for the Physical Activity Alliance to initiate local strategy to increase physical activity. (NOTE: This alliance is currently in its formative stages)

Objectives

To raise awareness about the benefits of physical activity, influence attitudes and change behaviour to adopt healthier lifestyles
Increase physical activity, in particular walking and cycling
Reduce barriers to participation i.e. recognising cultural sensitivity and differing needs
Encourage more active workplaces by encouraging flexitime, provision of facilities, incentive schemes for using public transport and developing green travel plans
Ensure new & existing commercial and residential developments are planned to facilitate walking, cycling and public transport
Maximise use of existing facilities, for example, community buildings and schools for out of school activities
Encourage family involvement in physical activities through strengthened links between schools, further education and workplaces and a greater choice of activities
Support and encourage older people to be more active in the community and in care and residential homes
Develop activity for people with disabilities

SURREY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DELIVERERS GROUP

This group consists of health and physical activity local authority officers, who meet on a quarterly basis. The group benefit from information sharing, and sharing good practise for the implementation of new initiatives such as Everyday Sport, Work Place Health. and the delivery of physical activity and health across the County.

For minutes of recent meetings click here>>

SURREY HEALTHY SCHOOLS

The Surrey Healthy Schools Scheme (SHSS) is a joint project between Education and Health services in Surrey.

The SHSS provides a framework for schools to co-ordinate, develop and improve all areas of PSHE, including Citizenship, in line with the National Healthy Schools Standard and National Curriculum Guidance.

A team of education and health promotion advisers, consultants and specialists provide support to schools on becoming healthier places for staff and pupils to work and learn.

The SHSS is an opportunity for schools to actively promote the health of the whole school community. It is a commitment to promoting personal, social and health development.

The scheme is not merely aimed at pupils' health or school curriculum development but centres around the whole school environment and all aspects of school life. More>>

For copies of the lastest newsletter click here>>

Last updated 15 May 2007