Health Minister Announces Funding For Outdoor Fitness Trails For Hospital Staff, Wales

Main Category: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 02 Feb 2010 - 14:00 PDT

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Health Minister Edwina Hart has announced almost £50,000 of funding to install fitness trails in the grounds of two Welsh hospitals.

The outdoor schemes are being piloted at Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny and Ysbyty Alltwen, Tremadog to promote healthy lifestyles to NHS staff.

The trails will be made-up of five or six fitness stations which will each have a different piece of equipment such as a cross trainer or Tai Chi spinner.

Mrs Hart said:

"We know the benefits that physical activity can have in improving both physical and mental wellbeing.

"Earlier this month, the Welsh Assembly Government launched a plan to encourage people to become more physically active - Creating an Active Wales. One of the aims of the plan is to develop a physical environment that makes it easier for people to choose to be more physically active.

"These fitness trails will provide NHS staff with the opportunity to improve and maintain their own health while setting a good example for patients and visitors."

David Jenkins, Chairman of Aneurin Bevan Health Board, said

"We are delighted that Nevill Hall Hospital has been chosen for this pilot scheme. It can be very difficult for many of our staff working irregular shift patterns to make time to exercise so I'm certain having accessible equipment freely available on site will be a huge help to them. The fitness trails will also give a positive message to patients and visitors about the health benefits of taking exercise."

Michael Williams, Chairman of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said:

"We are delighted to be a pilot site for this initiative. The health and wellbeing of our staff is very important to us and the ability to engage in physical exercise close to the workplace will be highly beneficial."

Source
Welsh Assembly Government

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