Scottish NHS Physical Activity Pathway Review (NPAP)

Summary 

• Client: Public Health Scotland
• Project: Scottish NHS Physical Activity Pathway Review
• Delivered by: Move Consulting
• Focus: Physical activity, healthcare, pathway development and system improvement

Context

Public Health Scotland commissioned Move Consulting to support the review of the Scottish NHS Physical Activity Pathway. The review was responding to a wider need to update the pathway so that it better reflected current guidance, emerging delivery challenges, and the continued ambition to embed physical activity more consistently within routine healthcare. 

The work needed to be completed within a short timeframe, and Public Health Scotland required additional capacity to help progress the review effectively. Public Health Scotland valued the expertise and experience that Move Consulting brought to the project, particularly in relation to the development of physical activity referral pathways on a national and local scale.

What we did

Move Consulting supported Public Health Scotland through a structured review and

co-development process. This included reviewing the existing pathway context, engaging stakeholders through facilitated co-development workshops and online consultation forums. We also guided system partners through the development of a refreshed pathway model and co-developed clear and agreed recommendations for future action.

The project explored how the NHS Physical Activity Pathway could be strengthened across Scotland.  This had a focus on system leadership, monitoring and evaluation, workforce role clarity, referral and triage practices, digital infrastructure, community integration and communication.

The review also helped to clarify how physical activity could be treated as a more routine part of healthcare, while recognising that healthcare professionals need clear, realistic roles and better links into wider community-based support.

“Move Consulting brought valuable knowledge, experience and a fresh perspective to our review of the Scottish NHS Physical Activity Pathway. Their support felt like an extension of our own team, with seamless planning and delivery that helped us revise the NPAP delivery model and better understand the issues affecting pathway delivery.”

Flora Jackson, Health Improvement Manager (Physical Activity), Public Health Scotland