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Written question asked by Nick Smith (Labour) on Thursday, 20 July 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 September 2017. It was answered by Steve Brine (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 September 2017 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Exercise

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what methods his Department uses to evaluate the (a) effectiveness and (b) value for money to the public purse of the NHS Choices Couch to 5K programme.

Answer

In 2016, Public Health England (PHE) launched a mobile app in partnership with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Get Inspired, based on NHS Choices’ Couch to 5K web site. The method of evaluating the effect and value for money of the Couch to 5K app in England involves tracking the number of downloads and conducting qualitative research.

The app has received more than 500,000 downloads since launch1. The feedback from users is positive with many referencing the voice-over from popular coaches being especially motivating.

The app does not record mobile sensor data and there is no historical app data available to compare pre and post usage.

The app has been especially designed for people who have done little or no running. We hold no information on the activities of running clubs in relation to the Couch to 5K programme.

1 Source: Google Analytics

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
6831
Session
2017-19
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Exercise
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk