Written question asked by Lord Addington (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Monday, 19 February 2007.

Sport: Medicine

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the current availability in the National Health Service of sports medicine expertise is sufficient to encourage physical activity within the working age population; and

Answer: Sports and exercise medicine is primarily a clinical specialty aimed at providing high-quality medical care to people who have injury due to exercise. The specialty will also contribute to fighting obesity by promoting exercise. However, this specialty is only one part of the medical support required to address obesity. In addition to this specialty, general practitioners, consultants and a range of clinical specialties will encourage physical activity. As part of the workforce contribution to Delivering the NHS Improvement Plan, we are moving away from centrally prescribed national targets. It is the responsibility of primary care trusts and strategic health authorities to analyse their local situation and develop plans, in liaison with their local National Health Service trusts and primary care providers, to deliver high-quality NHS services. Local development plans will need to include action to recruit and develop the appropriate staff required to deliver services.

Secondary information