To The Rt Hon Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
Ministerial Correspondence and Public Enquiries Unit (submitted via https://contactus.dhsc.gov.uk)
Copies also sent to:
Sir Simon Stevens, CEO, NHS England
The Secretary of State for Transport
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking
21st July 2020
Dear Secretary of State,
We believe the NHS should be at the forefront of the national effort to encourage active travel.
The Government has stated that we have an opportunity for a once in a generation change to the way people travel in Britain and is providing funding for emergency Covid-19 measures to improve active travel. Many local authorities worldwide are making radical changes to make walking or cycling easier so that scarce public transport resources are protected.
Increases in cycling provision in the streets of our towns and cities needs to be supported by cycle-friendly destinations. As the largest employer in the country and the lead for the nation’s health, the NHS is an obvious candidate to be an example to the nation in supporting this effort. However, as staff follow the advice to avoid public transport where they can, and when non-urgent clinical activity in the NHS begins to increase, there is likely to be significant pressure on car parking at NHS sites in the near future.
Action should be taken now to enable active travel to, from, and around the NHS. This will mitigate the pressure on NHS car parking and on the national transport system more generally – as well as having significant environmental, health and social benefits.
The NHS should consider:
Significantly increasing the quantity and quality of secure cycle storage across the NHS as a matter of urgency. There have been many news reports of NHS staff being the victim of cycle thefts while at work during the pandemic. I hope you agree that this is unacceptable and that it deters people from cycling. Good, secure infrastructure at work will encourage cycling to work. It is a much cheaper, healthier and greener option than increased car parking and can be quick to implement. A time-limited high profile funding model, much like the Government’s Emergency Active Travel fund but NHS-focussed, could fit well.
Further central government initiative could enable ongoing schemes, for example...
Offering a payment for cycling to work to cover servicing and maintenance. Some companies offer a payment to their employees who cycle to and from work; national governments including the Netherlands, Belgium and France offer similar incentives based on tax rebates. These types of schemes can be very effective – Belgium saw a 30% increase in credits awarded between 2011 and 2015. This kind of bonus would incentivize staff who already own a bike outside of a Cycle to Work scheme and it would encourage staff who do buy a bike through the scheme to persevere with commuting.
Embedding a walking and cycling culture throughout the NHS. Measures recommended by NICE (QS183; also PH41) should become part of day-to-day NHS strategic and operational thinking and should not be treated as “nice to have”. Examples could include: trust-based cycle hire scheme where one doesn’t exist in the locality, car parking application forms to become “car parking and cycle storage” forms, cycle parking signage alongside car park signs, trusts to work with GPs to enable social prescribing, upgraded shower/changing facilities, etc. Performance metrics should be defined and collected from trusts and targets should be set for active travel takeup so that the impact of these measures can be seen over time.
Physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, several cancers, dementia, and diabetes and it increases mental wellbeing. The cost of such schemes would be more than offset by the savings of having a healthier workforce, and would also contribute to meeting the following aims:
The public were recently told to “Protect the NHS”. The NHS should take the opportunity to protect itself, its patients and the transport system by promoting active travel – and it should do this publicly, nationally, and in a significant way as soon as possible.
NICE, referring to its own guidance on recommending active travel, states clearly; “Unless otherwise stated, the recommendations will benefit everyone”.
We are eager to hear your response.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Christopher Yu, Anaesthetics trainee, Yorkshire and Humber
William Wyld, founder, Bikes for NHS charity scheme
Dr Nicholas Wroe, Clinical Fellow in Medical Education/Simulation, Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHSFT
Phil Woodford, Associate Director of corporate Affairs, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHSFT
Jamie Wood, MS Patient and disabled cyclist
Dr Jacob F. de Wolff FRCP, Consultant acute physician, London North West University Healthcare NHSFT
Dr RJT Wilson FRCA, Consultant Anaesthetist (Retd.)
Dr Angela Wilson, GP, West Oxfordshire
Dr Ruth Whiteman, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Gateshead Health NHSFT
Sally Watson, Phd Researcher, School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Chair of the Newcastle Cycling Campaign
Bridget Walton, hospital pharmacist, RD&E Trust, Exeter
Lucy Wellings, Paediatric Research Nurse Specialist, UCL Hospitals NHSFT and TourDeThanks co-founder
Dr S Walpole, Infectious diseases registrar, RVI Newcastle, Associate Clinical Lecturer, Newcastle University
Dr Bhakti Visani, The Golborne Medical Centre
Dr Amanda Vipond, Consultant Anaesthetist, Care Group Director for Surgery, York Hospital
Dr Sara Tomassini, Academic Foundation Doctor, University Hospitals of Leicester
Dr Simon Timperley, Anaesthetics ST6, Harrogate & District Foundation Trust
Dr Vasandhara Thoroughgood, Salaried GP, Colchester, Essex
The York Cycle Campaign
Dr Kate Taylor-Robinson, Consultant Paediatric Radiologist, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool
Dr Will Taylor, Gastroenterology Registrar, Northern Deanery
Dr Ai Lyn Tan, Associate Professor & Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist, Co-Lead for Postgraduate Research Studies, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine
Dr Frank Swinton, Consultant in Anaesthesia, Airedale NHSFT and climate change lead
Dr Laura Stirratt, GP, Vauxhall Health Centre, Liverpool
Christine Stevenson, Specialist occupational therapist, North Tyneside CTT
Professor Alison Stenning, Geographer, Newcastle University and Living Streets campaigner
Dr William Stableforth, Consultant hepatologist and gastroenterologist, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Dr Ruth Speare, SpR in Public Health HEYH
Dr Georgie Sowman, GP, North East of England
Dr Laura Smitton, Salaried GP, Wincobank Medical Centre, Sheffield
Dr Richard Smith CBE FMedSci, Chair of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change
Michael Smith, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital
Dr Honey Smith, BMedSci, BM BS, MRCGP, DFSRH, PGAMedEd, Chair of Greener Practice
Dr Vasu Siva, GP Partner at Hillview Surgery , Perivale, West London
Dr David Sims, Emergency Medicine and Trauma Fellow, St George's Hospital
Dr Heidi Siddle, Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant Podiatrist, NIHR Senior Clinical Lecturer, University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Mafi Simmonds-Sharkey, Diagnostic Radiographer in Edinburgh, NHS Lothian
Dr Bridget Sigurdson, Anaesthetics trainee, Yorkshire and Humber
Dr Clifford L Shelton, Consultant Anaesthetist at Wythenshawe Hospital, Senior Clinical Lecturer at Lancaster Medical School, Assistant Editor with Anaesthesia Reports, Deputy Chair of PCPIE, National Institute of Academic Anaesthesia
Dr Andrew Sharp, GP
Megan Sharkey, Urban Studies Research Scholar, University of Westminster
Dr Deepa Shah, GP
Dr Mohan Sekeram, GP Wideway medical practice, Clinical lead social prescribing Merton and Wandsworth borough. Person centred care, London region clinical lead RCGP
Dr Steve Seale, GP Newquay Health Centre, Cornwall
Ben Scott ANP, Practice Partner, Blyth Road Medical Centre
Dr Kawita Schur, GP Newquay Health Centre, Cornwall
Dr Natasha Sauven, Consultant paediatrician, Truro
Dr Daniel Saunders, Consultant in Clinical Oncology, The Christie NHFT, Manchester
Joe Le Sage, Service Manager, Specialised Rehabilitation, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Dr Andrew Sadler, Foundation Year 2 Doctor in Stockton-On-Tees
Dr Benjamin Rusholme, ST3 GP trainee, HEE Wessex
Sarah Rushbrooke, Group Director, Cumbria Northumberland Tyne & Wear NHSFT
Harriet Roberts, GP ST2
Phil Richards, Deputy Charge Nurse, Critical Care, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. NHS Lothian
Dr Reza Rahman FRCA, Specialty Registrar, Anaesthetics & Intensive Care, University Hospital Southampton
Dr Rohit Raj, Consultant Acute Medicine, St George’s Hospital
Dr Emma Radcliffe, GP, The Aberfeldy Practice
Dr Patrick Quinn, Clinical Fellow in Critical Care, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHSFT
Dr Andrew Quin, Anaesthetics Registrar, Hull University Teaching Hospitals
Claire Prospert, Co-founder, Newcastle Cycling Campaign
Dr Ashley Price, Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Newcastle Hospitals NHSFT
Dr Noel Pollock, Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine CMO British Athletics
Dr Nick Plummer, ST5 anaesthesia and intensive care medicine, Nottingham University Hospitals
Andy Picken, Workforce Health & Wellbeing Lead, Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS
Alexis Percival (nee Keech) MSc (MEng) BSc, Environmental & Sustainability Manager, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Professor David Pearson FRCGP, GP, East Yorkshire & Hon Prof. Academy of Primary Care, Hull York Medical School
Vicki Peacey, SpR Public Health, East of England
Prof Chris Parker, Clinical Oncologist, Royal Marsden Hospital
Dr Laurence Palfreyman, Clinical Psychologist, Adult Diabetes, King's College Hospital
Hannah Orrell, GP trainee, Edinburgh
Dr Rumina Önaç, GP & Green Impact for Health lead, The Old School Medical Practice, Copmanthorpe, York
Tim Oliver, Professor Emeritus in Oncology, Barts Health
Stephanie Norris, Energy & Environmental Technician, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHSFT
Shahrin Noh, Paediatric Haematology ST6, Newcastle Hospitals Foundation Trust
Rhona Murdoch, Staff Nurse, Royal infirmary of Edinburgh
Alison Munro, Staff Engagement Advisor, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust Corporate HR, Staff Health and Wellbeing
Dr Paula Mulvenna, Clinical Oncologist, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHSFT
Anna Moore, Education Fellow, RLH - Barts Health NHS Trust, ST6 Respiratory Registrar, North East Thames
Mrs Scarlett McNally, Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon, Eastbourne D.G.H.
Dr David McKelvey, GP, Salford
Dr Robin Middleburgh, GP, Wide Way Medical Practice
Dr Nick Merrifield, GP Partner and Trainer, Holmwood Corner Surgery, New Malden. Clinical Director, New Malden and Worcester Park PCN
Dr Jez McCole, GP Partner, Gleadless Medical Centre, Sheffield
Dr Richard Mayers, Acute medicine registrar, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHST
Dr João Martins, GP ST1, Oxfordshire
Dr Fiona Martindale, MBChB MRCGP
Dr Sarah Marsden, Perioperative Medicine Fellow, Airedale NHSFT
Dr Tanya Maric, ST6 Subspecialty Registrar Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Chelsea & Westminster
Dr Jo Maher, GP Partner, Wincobank Medical Centre Sheffield, GP Advisor to Move More Campaign Sheffield
Dr Rhona Maclean, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Joseph Mackay-Christie, Senior Performance Analyst (and BUG Admin), South Tyneside and Sunderland NHSFT
Tom Lynch MBE, MStJ, Public Safety Cycling Consultant & Contractor, Founder of the London Ambulance Service Cycle Team
Jaki Lowe, Director of People, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust
Sarah Lortscher, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Hospital at Night team, NHS Lothian
David Lewis, GP, Vauxhall Primary Health Care, Liverpool; and co-clinical director, Central Liverpool PCN
Dr Simon Lennane, GP and PCN Clinical Director, Ross-on-Wye
Dr Tom Lawy, GP, The White house surgery, Sheffield
Dr Tom Lawton, Consultant Critical Care & Anaesthesia, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHSFT
Dr Paul Lancaster, Consultant Anaesthetist, Manchester University NHSFT
Jonathan Lake, GP, Portsmouth
Dr J Kostelnik, Exeter GP
Kelly Kohut, Consultant Clinical Genetics, St Georges Hospital
Dr Cleo Kenington, Consultant Emergency General Surgery, St George's University Hospitals NHSFT
Terry Kemple, Past President of Royal College of General Practitioners
Jonathan Kelly, Directorate Manager, Barts Health NHSFT
Dr Nick Jones, GP partner, St Chads Surgery, Midsomer Norton
Dr Carolyn Johnston, Consultant Anaesthetist, St George’s Hospital
Dr Matthew J Jackson BSc (Hons), MB ChB, FRCA, FFICM, Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, CD Critical Care, Senior Lecturer Edge Hill University
Dr Ewan Jack, Clinical lead theatres, Consultant anaesthetist, Forth Valley Royal Hospital
Dr Rita Issa, GP Academic Clinical Fellow, Tower Hamlets
Dr Ewan Hunter, ID Consultant, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHSFT
Dr Rachel Howells, Consultant Paediatrician, Exeter
Lydia Howells, Deputy Charge Nurse, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
Dr Katherine Horner, Consultant Anaesthetist, St George’s Hospital
Stefan Hopewell, Registered Nurse, Endoscopy/ Hybrid Catheter Laboratory, BMI Alexandra Hospital, Cheadle, Cheshire
Dr Richard Hixson, Consultant in Critical Care, Trust Lead for Sustainability and Trustee of the Centre for Sustainable Health
Dr Andrew Hills, GP, Stanley Medical Group
Dr Rachel Hignett, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Phoebe Heveron MB BCh
Dr Robert Hartley, Consultant Anaesthetist, Salford Royal NHSFT
Dr Ollie Hart, GP partner, Sloan MC, Sheffield
Dr Matthew Hardy FRAIA FRSA RIBA, Senior Lecturer in Architecture & Urbanism, The Prince’s Foundation
Alex Happs, Senior Information Analyst, Community and Mental Health Team, NHS Digital
Dr John Hanley, Consultant in Haematology, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHSFT
Melanie Hall, Haemoglobinopathy Nurse Specialist (Adults), Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHSFT
Professor Sir Andy Haines, Department of Public Health, Environments and Society and Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Dr Rob Guy, Locum Consultant Anaesthetist, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Prof Stuart Green, Director of Medical Physics, University Hospital Birmingham NHSFT
Dr Mia Gray, Economic and social geographer at the University of Cambridge
Dr Andrew Grant, Consultant Anaesthetist, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Carla Gould, Consultant Anaesthetist, Wythenshawe Hospital
Dr Claire Gordon, Consultant in acute medicine, Western general hospital, Edinburgh
Dr Oliver Giles, FY2 STH
Dr Alessandro Gerada, Consultant Microbiologist, Liverpool Clinical Laboratories
Dr Mike Gent, Deputy Director Health Protection (Yorkshire and the Humber), North East Yorkshire Region, Public Health England
Anna Foster, Deputy Director of Commissioning & Quality Assurance, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHSFT
Dr Jonathan Folb, Consultant Microbiologist, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust
Dr Harriet Fletcher, Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Hamish Findlay, GP, Jubilee Medical Centre, Croxteth Hall Lane, Liverpool
Dr Cariad Findlater, Consultant paediatric anaesthetist, RHSC, Lothian
Dr Ellen Fallows, GP, NHS E Clinical Lead, Virtual Group Clinics. RCGP Person Centred Care Lead - South East. Learning Academy Director, Trustee and RD, British Society of Lifestyle Medicine
Dr Rachel Evans, Emergency Medicine registrar, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Dr Tamsin Ellis, GP, London
Dr Charlie Elliot, Consultant Respiratory Medicine, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Dr Anthony El-Kheir, ST7 Anaesthetics, Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Dr Jonathan Edgar, Consultant Anaesthetist, NHS Lanarkshire
Dr Andy Drummond, Consultant in Intensive Care & Anaesthesia, Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Dr Nicola Dowling, GP Jubilee Medical Centre Liverpool and community clinical tutor, Liverpool University
Dr Andrew Douglas, Move More Sheffield GP
James Dixon FIEMA CEnv, Head of Sustainability, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHSFT
Dr Helen Day, Partner and Clinical Governance Lead, Ryalls Park Medical Centre, Yeovil, Somerset
Gary Dawes, Data centre Specialist, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Robert Davis, Chair, Road Danger Reduction Forum
Dr Alexandra Danecki, Consultant in Emergency Medicine. Airedale NHSFT. West Yorkshire.
Dr Matt Curtis, Medical Director (AWC Modality)
Dr Anthea Cree, Honorary Clinical Research Fellow, Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Catherine Cooper, Sustainability Ambassador, Critical Care Outreach Sister, Royal Surrey NHSFT
Dr Chris Connolly, ED Consultant, South Yorkshire
Dr Shaun O’Connell, GP, Vale of York
Dr Fredrika Collins, Junior Doctor, Brighton
Dr Tom Cliffe, GP, Sheffield
Dr Helena Clements, Consultant paediatrician, Lead for Climate Action, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust
Dr Robert Chuter, Principal Clinical Scientist, The Christie NHS FT
Dr Kit Oi Chung, GP, Liverpool
Susan Chisholm, Deputy Charge Nurse, Cardiology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Dr Radu Chirvasuta, Anaesthetics Registrar, HEE Yorkshire & Humber, Welfare and Equality & Diversity Officer for the York Rouleurs Cycling Club
Dr Helena Charles, GP Trainee, Stockport
Dr. Michelle O'Carroll, GP, Thorpe-le-Soken Surgery
Dr Thomas Carter, Consultant Anaesthetist, St George’s Hospital
Dr Helena Carley, Clinical Fellow in Cancer Genetics, St George’s Hospital
Ian Carey, Staff Nurse, Sheffield
Dr Sassa Calthrop-Owen, GP, Harbury Surgery
Dr Alex Burns, GP, Truro
Dr Marcin Bula, Consultant Physician Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, CRF Deputy Director, Royal Liverpool University Hospital
Dr Nick Browne, GP Principal, The Gill Medical Centre
Joe O’Brien, Clinical Matron, Critical Care, Stockport NHSFT
Dr Fiona Brennan, Consultant Anaesthetist, Cardiff & Vale UHB, Wales
Dr Katy Bray, GP with Special Interest in MSK Medicine, Three Spires Medical Practice, Truro, Cornwall
Thomas Bradley, Assistant Purchasing Manager, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust
Dr Ryan Boyle, Consultant Acute Physician, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust. Deputy Head of School (Medicine), NIMDTA
Dr Paul van den Bosch, GP, College Road Surgery, Woking
Dr Russ Birkett, Academic Clinical Fellow/CAMHS Registrar, Sheffield
Dr Joanne Bell, Anaesthetics ST7, Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Dr Peter Beatty, Consultant Anaesthetist, Forth Valley Royal Hospital
Louise Barrett, Principal Speech and Language Therapist, St George’s Hospital
Janet Barraclough, GP, West Midlands
Katie Blissard Barnes, CT2 psychiatry, Leeds
Dr Helen Barclay, GP Bevan Healthcare, West Yorkshire
Aarti Bansal, GP, NIHR research fellow, co-chair of RCGP Climate Advisory group, founder of Greener Practice
Dr Gerard Baker, General Practitioner, Manchester
Ali Azfar, General Dental Practitioner, A&S Dental Surgeons, Bradford
Dr Liz Anderson, Sexual Health Consultant, Mersey Care NHS Trust
Dr Eireann Allen, ST6 Anaesthetics, SE Scotland, Elected member of Association of Anaesthetists Trainee Committee - Seminar Lead
Natasha Allan, Physiotherapist MCSP
Professor Rachel Aldred, Director of the Active Travel Academy, University of Westminster
Naomi Adelson, GP, Birmingham
Dr Dasal Abayaratne, Medical psychotherapy and Adult psychiatry ST5, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHSFT