For more information on primary care projects, please contact the Primary Care project manager, Kim Buxton on 01509 223267 or K.E.Buxton@lboro.ac.uk.

Please use the links below to access information on our current projects in Primary Care.

Physical Activity Care Pathway

Primary Care Physical Activity Toolkit

Exercise Referral Review

BACR Phase IV Exercise Instructor Training Course

Physical Activity for Young People with Medical Conditions Course

Training courses for delivering brief interventions in Primary Care

Evaluation of the Physical Activity Care Pathway London Feasibility Pilot

The aim of this work is to assess the feasibility of implementing a newly developed care pathway on physical activity.

The Physical Activity Care Pathway (PACP) involves the use of the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) to assess patients' current physical activity levels. Patients identified as insufficiently active receive a brief consultation using motivational interviewing techniques to explore their readiness to change behaviour. Patients considered ready to change receive support in goal setting and are signposted to a range of relevant physical activity opportunities, including structured activity ( e.g. group, class or centre-based activities), self directed activity (e.g. pedometer/walking programmes or active travel) or relevant supervised options for patients with clinical needs (e.g. exercise on referral, falls prevention).

Wave one of the pilot project is currently underway with 6 PCTs across London, with a second wave of PCT's due to start early in 2008. The purpose of the evaluation is to learn from the experiences of health professionals and participants about the feasibility of implementing the care pathway and to develop a best practice model. The evaluation is due for completion in September 2008.

Primary Care Physical Activity Toolkit

The BHFNC physical activity toolkit was launched in 2001 to provide professionals working in primary care with the latest evidence on physical activity.  The BHFNC are currently undertaking a review of the contents of the toolkit and following consultation with professionals working in primary care will be re-writing the toolkit. The new toolkit will include the latest evidence on the benefits of physical activity for adults and children; the current recommendations for physical activity for adults and children and will include practical advice and tools on delivering brief interventions in primary care.

Evaluation of the Primary Care Physical Activity Toolkit: We need your help

We are seeking feedback from professionals who have received a copy of the above toolkit in the last few years in order to help us develop an updated toolkit. We would like to invite you to assist us in evaluating the Toolkit and to share your views with us.

We will be holding a series of focus group interviews in the Summer of 2007 as we are keen to have professionals views about whether the BHFNC should update the primary care physical activity toolkit and what the design, content and format of the toolkit should look like. If you would like to contribute to this formative research please contact Kim Buxton on 01509223267 or email K.E.Buxton@lboro.ac.uk

Exercise Referral

Following the publication of the NICE Physical Activity Collaborating Centre review of the effectiveness of exercise referral schemes, BHFNC is undertaking an additional review of the evidence base of exercise referral schemes.

British Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation Phase IV Exercise Instructor Training Course

The course was developed in 1998 supported by the British Heart Foundation and is delivered by the British Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation (BACR) which is an affiliated group of the British Cardiac Society.   The aim of the course is to equip students with the requisite knowledge and skills to prescribe and deliver safe and effective exercise for individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD) who have already benefited from a hospital based rehabilitation programme.

A regular programme of regionally based courses exists to allow wide access to this training resource.  The BHFNC works in collaboration with Loughborough College as a regional training centre for BACR phase IV exercise instructor courses and the team currently offers two courses per year.

To find out more about the course, dates and venues click on the link:  www.bacrphaseiv.co.uk

Physical Activity for Children and Young People with Long-Term Medical Conditions Course  

The BHFNC has recently being working in collaboration with Loughborough College to develop a training course on physical activity for professionals working with children and young people with long-term medical conditions such as obesity, asthma and diabetes. 

The aim of this course is to provide professionals with:

• An overview of the benefits of physical activity for children and young people with long-term medical conditions: obesity, asthma and diabetes;
• A range of ideas on how to encourage children and young people with obesity, asthma and diabetes to be physically active;
• Safe and effective physical activity guidelines &
• Resources to support professionals working with children and young people with obesity, asthma and diabetes.

The course is aimed at Exercise instructors, Nursery workers, Play/Youth workers, Sports/Physical Activity Development Officers, Physical Education Teachers, Teaching assistants, Students on Childcare/Early Years courses, Lunchtime supervisors, AOTTS and anyone else likely to come into contact with young people and children with these conditions.

For more information on this course please contact Kim Buxton: K.E.Buxton@lboro.ac.uk or Rachel Reynolds: Rachel.Reynolds@loucoll.ac.uk

Delivering Brief Interventions in Primary Care

The BHFNC is piloting a series of 2 day solution-focused training courses for exercise and primary healthcare professionals. This course will equip you with the skills to meet the challenges in delivering patient-centred care and responds to NICE guidance (2006) which recommends primary care professionals are skilled in delivering brief interventions around physical activity. To find out more or to register an interest, contact Kim Buxton at: K.E.Buxton@lboro.ac.uk or call 01509 223267