Welsh NHS Confederation and Sport Wales to sign landmark Memorandum of Understanding

The Welsh NHS Confederation and Sport Wales have announced that they will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

In signing the MOU, the two organisations are committing to pooling expertise, experience and resources as part of a long-term and sustainable partnership.

It is the first agreement of its kind between a NHS and sports body and is signed with the aim of encouraging the people of Wales to take more responsibility for their health and wellbeing.

The MOU – which will initially cover the next three years – sets out six areas of cooperation which include:

• working together to support the people of Wales to enjoy more active, more equal and healthier lives
• working to encourage people to look after their own health and thereby take care of the health of future generations
• working to foster a co-productive relationship with the people of Wales
• working together to support the drive for a mass shift in public thinking about their health
• exchanging information of mutual interest
• seeking to develop joint areas of work that promote 'sport for all' and encourage participation across the life span.

Discussing the MOU, Helen Birtwhistle, Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, said:

"We know the importance of the links between sport with health and this new memorandum demonstrates a commitment from both sectors to come together to promote healthier living and improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales.

"Health cannot be seen as a standalone issue and these strong links with our colleagues in sport are vital in addressing the challenges that we face.”

Sarah Powell, Chief Executive of Sport Wales, added:

"The Health Minister has outlined the prudent healthcare agenda – well what's more prudent than avoiding ill health in the first place by leading a healthy, active lifestyle. The sports sector has a role to play in creating the opportunities for the people of Wales to take greater personal responsibility for their own health.”

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