Natural England

Great inroads could be made into urban ill health if just a fraction of the NHS annual budget for preventative health was spent on the natural environment in our towns and cities, says Natural England.

Speaking at the annual UK Public Health conference in Liverpool today (Tuesday 1 April), Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England, said:

“The link between human health and the environment is nothing new but people have become disconnected from the natural environment and the link between environment and health has been temporarily lost.

“The green space in our towns and cities is being pushed into lay-bys, roundabouts and rectangular parks. Gardens are concreted over to park the car and recreation grounds are developed for housing. Could we spend more of the NHS’s annual budget on preventative health by investing more money to transform these green spaces and create others for the benefit of the nation’s health?

“We need to show people that the NHS extends beyond the consulting rooms. To feel the well-being and health benefits of the natural environment doesn’t have to involve a walk across a windswept moor or through rolling Devon countryside. Natural England is working with NHS London and the Department of Health on a scheme to show patients how it can be done. We hope this is the first of many,” concluded Sir Martin.

Dr William Bird, Natural England’s health advisor, is working with Natural England’s health campaign team to highlight the benefits of contact with the natural environment ultimately to help create a ‘natural health service’.

Dr Bird, who said: “Natural England has trained over 35,000 volunteer health walk leaders to get the most unfit in urban as well as rural areas to walk more through the Walking the Way to Health scheme. If more money was be spent on schemes like this and the green areas in our towns and cities we could get many more people using the outdoors around them as their gym. These schemes can not only make a difference to peoples’ lives but also the number of people visiting our GPs surgeries.”

Natural England has started to generate high quality evidence that can be used to influence where the NHS spends its money. It has developed the Outdoor Health Questionnaire with National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the British Heart Foundation that will measure changes in physical activity in those taking part in Health Walk schemes.

Natural England is also working with the Mayor of London to develop a health inequality strategy that reduces environmental injustice.

As well as arguing for the transformation of existing green spaces in urban areas, Natural England is making the case for green infrastructure to be at the heart of all new development.

Notes to editors:

For further information and copies of Sir Martin’s speech please contact the Natural England Press Office on 0845 603 9953, out of hours 07970 098005, email press@naturalengland.org.uk

For more information about Natural England’s health campaign visit www.naturalengland.org.uk/campaigns/health/

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.