The Active Hospitals programme is part of the Moving Medicine package of support for healthcare professionals. It aims to increase the use of physical activity in patients' treatment and recovery.

Active Hospitals aims to change the culture within hospitals to celebrate activity. And to recognise the role that physical activity can play in supporting patient recovery.

The Active Hospitals project has been running for just over a year and has seen great progress, embedding methodologies and recommendations from Moving Medicine in several pilot waves. A brief overview of each is listed:

First wave Active Hospital pilots

Inpatients - Using methodology from Moving Medicine

Outpatients - including the use of pedometers for sedentary patients

Staff and Community - pilot walks

The results of staff physical activity questionnaire are being analysed and will be available later in the year. Final drafts of the Activity Art Walk Map and Postcode maps are in production and will be trialled by staff/patient volunteers shortly.

Planned Second Wave

Maternity – using methodology from 'This Mum Moves' programme

Staff– chair exercises

Participation in staff and community projects using green spaces both in and near the hospital.

By the end of November, Active Dorset will have delivered Royal Society Public Health 'Supporting Behaviour Change' Level 2 training, and online training 'Supporting People to Move More' to over 30 delegates. This has been made available to all staff involved in Active Hospital projects.