From the Consulting Room to the Community: How the RCGP Is Embedding Physical Activity in Primary Care.

Primary care sits at the frontline of the nation’s health. It is where long-term conditions are managed, trust is built, and everyday conversations about wellbeing take place. Increasingly, it is also where one of the most powerful tools for prevention is being championed: physical activity.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has been instrumental in repositioning physical activity as a core component of modern healthcare. Through initiatives such as the Active Practice Charter, strategic partnerships with Sport England, and collaboration with organisations across health, sport and the voluntary sector, the RCGP is helping GP practices support both patients and staff to move more, sit less and live healthier lives.

Active Practice: Changing the Culture of Primary Care.

The Active Practice Charter, delivered in partnership with Sport England, is a flagship initiative designed to embed physical activity into the everyday culture of GP practices. It encourages practices to:

• Reduce sedentary behaviour for staff and patients.

• Promote movement within the practice environment.

• Signpost patients to local physical activity opportunities.

• Lead by example, creating visibly active healthcare settings.

  
  

Rather than adding another burden to already stretched services, Active Practice reframes physical activity as a low-cost, high-impact intervention that fits naturally within existing care pathways. Hundreds of practices across England have already signed up, demonstrating a growing appetite within primary care to embrace prevention as part of routine care.

The impact goes beyond patient outcomes. Many practices report improvements in staff wellbeing, morale and workplace culture — a vital benefit at a time when workforce retention and burnout are major challenges for the NHS.

Primary Care as a Gateway to Active Lives.

GP practices are uniquely placed to influence behaviour change. For many patients, advice from a trusted healthcare professional carries more weight than any public health campaign. When physical activity is discussed confidently, consistently and compassionately in primary care, it becomes normalised as part of health, not an optional extra.

RCGP’s work recognises that movement is medicine, but medicine that works best when prescribed with empathy, flexibility and an understanding of individual circumstances. Whether supporting people living with long-term conditions, older adults managing mobility, or individuals experiencing mental health challenges, physical activity offers benefits that extend far beyond physical fitness.

Progress Through Partnership.

The progress made by the RCGP has been driven by strong partnerships across sectors. Alongside Sport England, the College works closely with organisations such as Age UK, recognising the critical role physical activity plays in supporting healthy ageing, reducing loneliness and maintaining independence.

Through these collaborations, primary care teams are better equipped to connect patients to community-based opportunities — walking groups, chair-based exercise, strength and balance sessions, and social activity programmes — ensuring that advice in the consulting room translates into action in the community.

Patient stories increasingly demonstrate the impact of this approach. From individuals managing diabetes through regular walking to older adults regaining confidence and social connection through local activity groups, these case studies reinforce the value of embedding physical activity into routine care.

Leadership That Lives the Message.

Few people embody the connection between healthcare and physical activity as authentically as Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi.

A GP with an Extended Role in Lifestyle Medicine (GPwERLM) in the West Midlands, Dr Hussain has long championed a holistic approach to healthcare — one that recognises the interconnected roles of movement, nutrition, sleep, mental wellbeing and social connection.

His leadership credentials span multiple sectors:

• RCGP Lifestyle and Physical Activity Team Lead.

• Founder of the UK’s first Primary Care Network–based fitness club

• Health Partnerships Lead at parkrun.

• Trustee at ThinkActive, a regional Active Partnership.

• Advisory board member for Swim England.

• Lifestyle medic and long-distance triathlete, recently completing an IRONMAN biathlon.

Dr Hussain doesn’t just advocate for physical activity — he lives it. His personal commitment gives credibility to his professional mission: ensuring physical activity is understood, respected and utilised as a core component of healthcare.

Physical Activity in Primary Care: From Theory to Practice.

At the Why Sports 2026 Conference, Dr Hussain will speak on Physical Activity in Primary Care, sharing real-world insight into what works, what’s changing, and what’s possible.

His session will explore:

• How can primary care providers confidently promote physical activity?

• Lessons learned from implementing activity-focused initiatives

• The role of partnerships in supporting behaviour change

• How healthcare and physical activity professionals can work together more effectively.

  
  

Crucially, his contribution will highlight that this is not about turning GPs into fitness instructors — it’s about creating the conditions where movement is recognised as a fundamental part of health, supported by systems, communities and skilled professionals.

Looking Ahead: A Healthier Future Through Movement.

The RCGP’s leadership in this space signals a broader shift in healthcare — one that values prevention as highly as treatment and recognises that sustainable health outcomes are built beyond clinical settings.

By embedding physical activity into primary care, supporting staff wellbeing, and strengthening links with community providers, the RCGP is helping to shape a future where healthcare doesn’t just respond to illness, but actively supports people to live healthier, more active lives.

At Why Sports 2026, this conversation comes into sharp focus — uniting healthcare and physical activity professionals around a shared goal: healthier communities, supported by movement, connection and collaboration.