UK Report: Physical Activity Must Be a Core Part of NHS Care for Older People

A landmark report from the UK Health and Social Care Committee recommends that exercise be treated as a fundamental component of NHS support for older adults—on par with medication.

The report, which draws on research from the University of Manchester's Healthy Ageing Research Group, calls for a fundamental shift in how the healthcare system approaches ageing and physical activity.

Key Recommendations

GPs and clinicians should routinely offer advice and social prescribing of physical activity to older patients, making exercise a standard part of primary care consultations.

The report urges stronger links between local NHS services, leisure providers, and community groups to improve access to exercise programs.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) should monitor care homes to ensure they provide structured exercise programs for residents.

A national conversation is needed to change negative stereotypes about ageing that currently discourage older people from being physically active.

"Evidence-based exercise programs, particularly resistance training, could prevent and reverse frailty and decrease risk factors for conditions like dementia."
— Professor Chris Todd, University of Manchester

The Scale of the Challenge

By 2035, 68% of people over 65 are expected to have two or more serious health conditions—up from 54% in 2015.

In 2022, approximately 12.7 million people in the UK were aged 65 or over (19% of the population). That figure is projected to rise to 22.1 million (27%) by 2072.

Physical inactivity is linked to one in six deaths in the UK and costs an estimated £7.4 billion annually.

Why This Matters

The report signals a growing consensus among health experts that exercise is not merely a lifestyle choice but a medical intervention with proven benefits. Integrating physical activity into routine NHS care could reduce pressure on health services while improving quality of life for millions of older adults.