Cardiorespiratory training – collaborative event with GM Active

On the 31st October, we helped host a workshop for NHS staff from our inpatient and community teams, partnering with GM Active who provide health and wellbeing facilities across Greater Manchester (GM).

This initiative was born out of the need to address new recommendations in the National Clinical Guideline for Stroke (2023) and to support cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention work across the region.

The aims of the event were to:

• Bring teams together from across GM to review clinical guideline recommendations on aerobic exercise and cardiorespiratory training
• Build awareness of the need for aerobic training for stroke and patients with other neurological conditions
• Provide networking opportunities
• Develop a set of priorities for the future

Speakers included:

Jenny Harrison (Consultant Therapist, Manchester University Hospitals NHS FT) who provided an introduction on WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviours and the national clinical guideline focusing on exercise prescriptions. She also gave patient feedback on the challenges of accessing health and fitness suites across Manchester.

Allie Welsh (Leeds Beckett University) presented on aspects of her research on cardiorespiratory exercise post stroke as well as cognitive health to improve cognitive function.

Dr Aseem Mishra (GP and GM CVD Prevention Clinical Lead) shared an overview of CVD and the overarching health challenges in GM.

Jon Keating (GM Active) spoke about active wellbeing and how to transform GM public sector leisure services and workforce to align better support local communities, the NHS and the region’s health objectives.

Workshop groups explored some key questions including;

• What services are we delivering currently?
• Where are the gaps in local services?
• What scope do we have to enhance delivery?
• What is our collective vision to take forward?

The event was a huge success and provoked thoughts on the next steps and how can we continue to work collaboratively on this topic in GM.