New analysis by Nuffield Health, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Frontier Economics reveals that expanding access to free structured exercise programmes nationally could deliver £34 billion in social value. That would be reflected in £18bn of benefits of improved health, £13bn of benefits to relatives and carers, a £3bn boost to the economy and £230m in direct savings for the NHS.
Researchers looked at the impact of Nuffield Health’s Joint Pain Programme, which uses structured exercise to support people living with musculoskeletal and pain conditions. The programme, which involves two exercise and education sessions each week and is led by led by Rehabilitation Specialists– personal trainers with specialist training in pain management, is delivered in 110 Fitness & Wellbeing Centres nationwide.
In 2024 more than 12,000 people took part in the programme, with the vast majority reporting a significant improvement in their pain levels and quality of life, leading to 86,000 less sick days taken and avoiding 31,000 GP appointments over the course of the year.
In Greater Manchester alone, scaling these programmes could boost the local economy by £1.7bn in social value. Nearly 516,000 adults in the region live with musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and back pain. Yet more than two thirds don’t have a care plan. That means hundreds of thousands could be struggling to work, care for family, or even manage daily tasks without help. Researchers found that scaling this programme across Greater Manchester could save 900,000 sick days and avoid the need for 250,000 GP appointments each year and give 3,000 people across Manchester the opportunity to return to work.
In response to the findings, Nuffield Health is expanding access to free structured exercise classes by rolling-out a free exercise rehabilitation programme for people living with a broader range of long-term health conditions – including people living with cardiovascular, metabolic and respiratory disease, as well as those living with musculoskeletal conditions. This has been developed in partnership with experts from Manchester Metropolitan University at the Manchester Institute for Health & Performance (MIHP) and builds on the success of the Joint Pain Programme.
The programme, which is already live in 11 locations, will be scaled to offer 50,000 free places nationwide each year by 2027.
Davina Deniszczyc, Charity and medical director at Nuffield Health, said: “Exercise is one of the most powerful forms of medicine we have – if it was a pill then everyone would take it! Unfortunately, it’s under prescribed – and we need to change that. This programme gives people in Greater Manchester access to safe, expert-led exercise that can transform their health and improve their quality of life. By making it free and widely available, we’re helping people to significantly reduce their pain, regain independence and get back to the things they love while supporting the NHS.”
Profession Tim Cable, Manchester Metropolitan University, added: “Our analysis shows the huge potential of structured exercise to transform how we manage and treat long-term conditions. Greater Manchester can lead the way and our research partnership with Nuffield Health aims to build on the successes of these existing programmes to support people living with a much wider range of conditions. If scaled, the benefits could be enormous: improving lives, reducing demand on the NHS, and unlocking billions more in social and economic value.”
Hira Qudoos, who recently took part in the Joint Pain Programme at Nuffield Health Didsbury Fitness & Wellbeing Centre said: “The Joint Pain Programme has truly transformed my life. When I began, I had very little hope – living with psoriatic arthritis had greatly affected my body and movement, and I struggled to see a path forward. With the guidance and support of my rehabilitation specialist, I have regained hope and discovered that a change in lifestyle can truly make a difference.”
Access to the programme will initially be through referrals from a local GP, pharmacist or another healthcare professional. The programme is available to people living with health conditions and experiencing chronic pain, long-term fatigue, or breathlessness.
For more information, including referral criteria and participating locations nationwide, visit: Long-Term Conditions Rehabilitation Programme | Nuffield Health
