Comments from the Open Data Institute (ODI) and Sport England (backer of the ODI’s OpenActive project) on 10 Year Plan

Comments from the Open Data Institute (ODI) and Sport England (backer of the ODI’s OpenActive project) on 10 Year Plan .

The ODI’s OpenActive initiative is already helping NHS staff and community partners connect people with trusted, local physical activity options – supporting the Plan’s focus on prevention, community-based care and digital innovation.

Louise Burke, CEO of the Open Data Institute, said:
‘Prevention works best when we treat physical activity like medicine. That means giving healthcare professionals access to reliable, local information on what’s available. OpenActive delivers that data – it’s a solution that can be scaled across the country to support healthier communities and tackle physical inactivity.’

Chris Boardman, Chair of Sport England, added:
‘Active lifestyles prevent chronic illness and increase our enjoyment of life, so making activity an easy, everyday choice must be at the heart of a prevention-first NHS. At present, healthcare professionals often don’t have the time or the tools to make physical activity part of routine care. We must change this. OpenActive can be a big part of the evolution by putting trusted, local activity options right at the fingertips of healthcare workers – like a prescription pad for physical activity. These are the things that will make emerging Neighbourhood Health Services thrive.’