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Dept of Health

Answer

Mr. Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many staff are employed in his Department to promote sports participation, as part of his public health role; [123909] (2) how much is spent by his Department to promote the public health benefits of participation in sport and physical exercise. [123910] Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department of Health is committed to developing policies that provide people with the skills, information and support to make and sustain healthy lifestyle choices. The Department of Health funds a physical activity programme to: support the delivery of Planning and Priorities Framework targets and national service framework milestones; work with other government departments and stakeholders to enhance opportunities for physical activity; and develop and communicate the evidence base for physical activity. It is not possible to provide an overall figure for Department of Health spending to promote the public health benefits of physical activity and exercise, since the amount spent by primary care trusts (PCTs) on the promotion of physical activity from the devolved Department of Health budgets varies in each PCT. Department of Health staff work across topic areas within the whole range of work covering cardio- vascular disease and cancer prevention (which includes promotion of physical activity) according to needs and we do not enumerate specific people on the topic of sports participation. The Department of Health employs a number of organisations and individuals on an ad hoc contractual basis to assist the department in the delivery of specific work items, and also receives support and advice on the evidence base for successful interventions from the Health Development Agency.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

409 c235-6W; 123909;123910

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Finance Health education Staff Sports Exercise

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk