Written question asked by Stephen Hepburn (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 October 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Monday, 28 October 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department has considered the case for primary care trusts having physical activity co-ordinators within their public health teams.

Answer: Mr. Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has considered the case for primary care trusts having physical activity co- ordinators within their public health teams. [75209] Ms Blears: The issue of whether Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) should appoint physical activity co-ordinators as part of their public health teams is a matter for local determination. However, what is clear is that PCTs have a role in delivering improvements to public health, including increasing rates of physical activity. In order to assist PCTs in this, together with the Countryside Agency and Sport England, the Department is developing a programme of local exercise action pilots (LEAPs) to test out different approaches to increasing physical activity. This programme will fund one pilot in each of the nine regions in England. Pilots will be led by PCTs and based in neighbourhood renewal areas and some will also involve sport action zones. The ongoing results will inform and lead action on physical activity across the National Health Service.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 75209; 391 c668W;391 c664W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Health education Primary care trusts Sports Exercise Public health
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk