Prescribing parkrun
Social prescribing
Signposting patients to parkrun is a fantastic example of social prescribing! If your practice has access to linkworkers, social prescribers or community connectors we strongly recommend they have a working understanding of the initiative so they can effectively signpost patients.
You do not need to write a physical prescription when signposting to parkrun , but there patient cards are available on the website should you want to use them. You could also email/SMS patients with the details of your local parkrun. Some suggested text can be found here.
Initiating conversations with patients
Moving Medicine offers practical guidance to clinicians on how to initiate conversations around physical activity with patients.
We suggest that any signposting is undertaken in a person-centred way, and is shaped by the interests and needs of the patient themselves. It is likely that parkrun is one of a few opportunities that might be suggested to the patient, and this conversation could be done by any suitably skilled member of the practice staff. It might be that broaching the idea of parkrun doesn't happen straight away, and is part of a process of understanding the patient, developing rapport and gauging their receptiveness to certain messages and suggestions. This video demonstration shows two contrasting approaches, highlighting a person-centred style.
The NHS is advocating new roles for Health Coaches in primary care as part of the new GP contract. Health Coaching skills are ideal for adopting this person-centred approach.
It would be great if participation at parkrun is couched in terms that really resonate with the individual. This might include emphasis on the wide variety of ways that a person can take part (walk, run, volunteer, come and watch), the fact that there is no obligation to complete all of the 5k distance or to attend every week, and the wide-ranging benefits such as socialisation, skill development, relaxation, confidence and self-esteem, physical health and integration within a local community.
Recording referrals
We suggest recording referrals to parkrun by using SNOMED code 1083201000000102 (signposting to a community exercise group). Recording referrals using SNOMED (previously Read) codes is not essential but are useful for tracking referrals and monitoring uptake.
Taking part
You don’t need to accompany the patient to parkrun, even if you have actively signposted them to an event. That said, many GPs and other practice staff have joined their patients at parkrun and found it incredibly beneficial, both for themselves and the patient. We therefore encourage all staff who want to participate to register for free with parkrun.
RCGP Active Charter
The parkrun practice initiative fits perfectly with the RCGP’s Active Charter. By signing up as a parkrun practice you have already achieved 3 of the 5 criteria.
You can even include the parkrun practice initiative as part of a CQC/RCGP/CCG audit or quality improvement (QI) activity.
parkrun-recommended programmes
The Couch to 5K programme and app is a brilliant way to get started. Remember people don't have to run all/some of the 5k, people can walk and volunteer, or simply come along and watch.
We are also aware that some practices have also encouraged people to join a 'Walking for Health' group, alongside or before participating in parkrun.