Queens Road Medical Practice has become the first general practice in Guernsey to become a certified ‘parkrun practice’.
The partnership aims to encourage and empower patients to get active to improve their health and wellbeing.
The initiative is endorsed by the Royal College of General Practitioners’ (RGCP) and a number of GP practices in the UK are developing close links with their local parkrun and encouraging patients with long-term health conditions to participate.
“At Queens Road Medical Practice we’re passionate about preventative healthcare and encouraging our patients to make healthy lifestyle choices,” said Dr Bob Gallagher, Queens Road Medical Practice Chair and Occupational Health lead.
“We’re increasingly using social prescribing, which involves referring patients to a range of local, non-clinical services, as an effective way of supporting them to take greater control of their own health. Initiatives such as parkrun, which provides an accessible, inclusive opportunity for patients to increase their physical activity levels within the local community, will have a positive impact on health and wellbeing so it felt like a natural partnership for us.
“We firmly believe that physical and social activity as a prescription has huge benefits for individuals and the community. Not only are there the physical health benefits, but socially and mentally as people socialise, develop new skills, build their confidence and support each other.”
Parkrun organises free weekly 5km timed events which are open to everyone. Participants can run, jog or walk the route and the events, which are organised by local volunteers, now take place in 20 countries around the world.
Event director of parkrun, Lorna O’Donnell, added: “We are excited for this partnership with Queens Road Medical Practice and look forward to working together to encourage islanders to look after their physical fitness and wellbeing in a fun and dynamic way.”
Guernsey’s parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9am at Pembroke Bay.
