Scottish Government

Main Findings

• The analysis identified a high level of support for the development of the strategy and for the general focus of the document, both in written responses to the quantitative questions, in the additional comments and in meetings.
• It was clear that most of the respondents agreed fully ¹ with the values (85%), vision (86%), goal and targets (72%). Most of the remainder agreed in part, and only 1-2% expressed disagreement.
• There was also a high level of overall support for the proposed indicators for physical activity in schools and local authorities in Scotland. Around two thirds (66%) agreed fully in each case, while around 27% agreed in part.
• There was a high level of general agreement with the strategic objectives, with 74% agreeing fully with these and 25% in part.
• There was widespread agreement with the priorities to support children and young people (76%), adults of working age (74%) and adults in later life (84%). Most of the remainder agreed in part with only 2% expressing disagreement with any of the priorities.
• The national and local co-ordination frameworks were seen by most respondents to be appropriate (70% and 71%).
• Respondents to the written consultation and in meetings indicated a high level of willingness to take the work forward nationally and locally, and suggested a range of ways in which they could be involved.
• Additional comments made during the consultation were generally against a background of overall agreement. These tended to be suggestions of areas for emphasis or inclusion in the final strategy and covered a wide range of issues.

¹ These figures refer to respondents' answers to "tick box" questions, asking whether they agreed ("yes", "no" or "in part") with proposals.

Introduction

Evidence from the Scottish Health Survey (1998) ² demonstrates that most people in Scotland are not active enough for health. That is they do less than 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) on 5 or more days per week.

The White Paper "Towards a Healthier Scotland" recognised the need to address physical inactivity, and a physical activity task force was established in Scotland in June 2001 to address these issues.

The objective of the task force was to consider and make recommendations on a strategy for increasing physical activity in Scotland. Their draft strategy was launched for consultation in June 2002. The main findings of this consultation are summarised below.

² Shaw A., McMunn A., Field J. (2000) "Scottish Health Survey (1998)" The Scottish Executive Department of Health

Consultation methods

The evidence presented here is drawn from two main sources:

• A written consultation, involving the direct circulation of 490 copies of the consultation documents, and wider circulation through other means, to which 178 responses were received.
• A number of meetings (11) held during the consultation, at which the draft strategy was considered. Many other meetings were also held, to provide briefing and to encourage participants to respond.

Overall views of the strategy

The consultation generated a large volume of material, which indicated strong support for the draft strategy and individual sections. Many respondents emphasised that the strategy was welcome. Responses to quantitative questions all demonstrated a high level of agreement with the proposals. Where additional comments were made, or problems identified, these were generally against this background of overall agreement. The comments made identified issues for consideration or further emphasis in the strategy.

Values, vision, goal and targets

Most of the respondents agreed with the values, vision, goal and targets. Many suggested ways in which they could be improved. Many of the issues which emerged focused on the targets, particularly in terms of the level, timescales and issues for specific groups. It was also suggested that it would be helpful to provide a rationale for the targets adopted and to clarify how these would be measured.

National priorities for education

There was also a high level of overall support for the proposed indicators for physical activity in schools and local authorities in Scotland. Additional comments suggested some changes to each, and several identified a number of current constraints to their implementation which, it was felt, will require further consideration before they could be achieved.

Strategic objectives

There was a high level of general agreement with the strategic objectives, with many additional comments on each.

The most common of these on creating supportive environments were about existing problems and solutions. The importance of active living and active travel was stressed. References were also made to: the need to develop and maintain accessible facilities; cost; legislation; and the importance of different types of environments.

Many respondents expressed support for providing evidence-based advice to staff, and a number of additional groups were suggested for inclusion. Types of training and opportunities for learning were identified, and suggestions made about training content.

The largest number of comments on raising awareness about the benefits of physical activity were suggestions about the types of work required to achieve this.

Most of the detailed suggestions about research, monitoring and evaluation identified areas where further research is needed. Some of the difficulties in carrying out research were identified, and aspects of the research process highlighted.

Strategic priorities

There was widespread agreement about the need for work with the 3 life stage groups.

Many respondents identified barriers to physical activity for children and young people and suggested solutions. These related to social and cultural barriers, barriers in education settings, community settings and issues affecting specific groups.

The main theme emerging about adults of working age was the existence of barriers and solutions: in the workplace / working day; in health settings; in community settings; and for specific groups. Some respondents also stressed that adults should be given as much prominence in the strategy as children and young people.

A similar pattern of comments emerged for adults in later life. There were many suggestions about the potential for promoting physical activity with older adults in: the community; the home; residential care; health settings; and particular groups.

Co-ordination frameworks

At a national level, there seemed to be widespread support for the creation of a physical activity national co-ordination group and the appointment of a co-ordinator. At a local level, most agreed that the community planning framework was the best means of taking the work forward, although many highlighted problems with current community planning processes.

The need to clarify aspects of both the national and local structures, to recognise equalities issues and to clarify monitoring and accountability was also highlighted, along with an appropriate support structure to take the work forward.

Strategy implementation

Respondents identified many ways in which they believed that they could work to implement the strategy nationally and locally. This indicated a high level of willingness to be involved in progressing the strategy.

Cross cutting issues

As well as addressing these specific questions, a number of recurrent cross cutting themes emerged which may require emphasis throughout the strategy. These included the following points:

• ensure that physical activity is clearly defined as including more than just sport.
• a long term approach, which can be sustained over the period of the strategy, should be adopted.
• ensure the promotion of equality, recognising the requirements of specific population groups and addressing these needs as initiatives develop.
• provide sufficient resources to support the strategy on a long term basis with information about the need for, nature and source of resources.
• infrastructure developments (facilities, environment, transport etc.) and improvements to physical access and childcare should be considered.
• build capacity (through providing staff, volunteers, resources and training).
• identify support from relevant organisations and individuals for implementation at national and local level. Emphasise the role of the voluntary sector in the strategy.
• recognise the role of research, monitoring and evaluation and identify short and long term indicators, as well as simple and easily monitored targets.
• link the strategy to other work such as national and local initiatives, relevant to this document.
• consider co-ordination, partnerships and joint working, with consultation and communication to implement the strategy.
• allow local areas to identify local needs and priorities.

Conclusions

A clear majority of those responding to the quantitative questions agreed with each of the component parts. All of the additional comments made will help to ensure that the final version of the strategy reflects, as far as possible, the views of those with interest and expertise in physical activity in Scotland.