Senior British doctor, Sir Muir Gray, in SW to discuss launch of innovative new exercise and health initiative

Eminent NHS physician and policy advisor, Professor Sir Muir Gray, who helped develop Britain's screening programmes and NHS Choices, is coming to the South West to discuss the launch of innovative exercise and health initiatives.

Sir Muir Gray, who advocates the power of activity in healthcare, is meeting the head of the South West Academic Health Science Network (SW AHSN) on Friday 23 March to discuss how exercise can improve the physical and mental health of residents in the South West, particularly older people and people with one or more long term conditions – groups which overlap more with each decade.

Exeter-based SW AHSN is dedicated to improving health and care across the region using innovation and knowledge. Sir Muir Gray is meeting with its Chief Executive, Jonathon Gray, to discuss how they can work together to promote exercise as a healthcare intervention in the region, with the aim of preventing not only disease but also reducing the risk of dementia, frailty and the need for social care.

The project would involve the South West’s strong voluntary sector, for instance through ‘social prescribing’, which is a means of providing patients with social, emotional or practical needs through local, non-clinical services.

The day before (Thursday 22 March), the former Chief Knowledge Officer to the NHS is speaking at the South West Clinical Senate annual conference, at the Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel about the important role of exercise in health and the future of healthcare. The Senate brings together a range of professionals to take an overview of health and healthcare for the local population and provides a source of strategic, independent advice and leadership on how services should be designed to provide the best overall care and outcomes for patients.

On Friday afternoon, Muir will be meeting with the Directors of Public Health from across the region in Taunton.

Sir Muir Gray says, ‘I welcome the opportunity to meet with SW AHSN and to discuss new initiatives to improve health through exercise in the South West. No matter what age you are, it’s never too late to start regain strength, stamina, suppleness and the skill of co-ordination to reduce the risk of falls.

‘There are three crucial elements that will increase your chances of having a relatively trouble-free and independent old age. You have to become fitter – even if you already have one or more long-term condition, you must actively reduce your risk of developing disease and you need to adopt a positive attitude to life, its problems and opportunities.’

Sir Muir Gray is an internationally renowned authority on healthcare systems and has advised governments in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Spain and Germany and more. He has worked in the NHS since 1972 and chaired the board responsible for NHS Choices. He now heads the Oxford-based Better Value Healthcare Institute, which is concerned with increasing efficiency in the NHS.

Sir Muir Gray’s most recent book, Sod 70!, is a guide to living well and is packed with practical ideas to help the elderly get fit and healthy, in body and mind.

The SW AHSN is based at Pynes Hill Court, Exeter. It is part of a national network of 15 AHSNs, set up by NHS England to identify, adopt and disseminate innovative healthcare.