The first birthday of an initiative to prescribe physical activity instead of medical treatments was celebrated at a special parkrun in Burnham-On-Sea on Saturday (June 1st).
Fifteen GPs and practice staff from Highbridge Medical Centre took part in the event at Apex Park to mark a year of the parkrun practice initiative.
It is part of a national GP parkrun pledge day, which saw over 1,000 GPs and practice staff take part in parkruns across the UK.
The aim of the parkrun practice initiative is to promote the social prescribing of physical activity, as part of the NHS’s commitment to encourage the use of non-medical treatments for the causes of ill health.
Launched by the Royal College of General Practitioners, the initiative helps link GP practices with their local 5km parkrun.
Celia Miall from Highbridge Medical Centre told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Getting active and taking part in activities like parkrun can help with a whole range of health problems.”
“As social prescribing has become more important, it is felt by everyone at our practice that this is just a great way to start getting involved in social prescribing.”
Apex Park’s parkrun takes place every Saturday since starting at 9am. The event has been running for four years this month.
Event direct Reg Huxtable said: “Burnham’s parkrun is the biggest park run in our area. We have lots of different people who attend, and its a beautiful park to run in. You don’t have to run, you can walk or volunteer instead if that suits. The event is free and accessible to anyone. It’s a community run and everyone can get involved.”
