Published on: 28,Feb 2025

Swimming as Medicine – the miracle of the water

William Roberts, Chair – Swim England Swimming and Health Commission & Chief Executive – Royal Society for Public Health

 

My day job is Chief Executive of the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and I was delighted to recently take on the position of Chair of Swim England’s Swimming and Health Commission. 

 

I am deeply committed to advocating for the vital role physical activity plays in enhancing public health and wellbeing, and swimming is central to these efforts for a number of reasons. There is also so much synergy between the aims and ambitions of the RSPH, the Swimming and Health Commission and the work of the Richmond Group of Charities so I am pleased to be contributing to this blog series.   

 

This synergy is evident after even a quick glance of Swim England’s ‘Value of Swimming’ report and the important ‘Millions More Moving’ report from the Richmond Group, both of which underscore the critical need to better integrate physical activity, such as swimming, into our health and care systems. 

 

The Value of Swimming report highlights the transformative impact swimming can have across the lifespan. Physically, it offers a low-impact, full-body workout that is accessible to people of all ages and abilities. The unique properties of the water reduces strain on the joints, making swimming particularly beneficial for those with chronic conditions, disabilities, or recovering from injury and those who may find it difficult to be active on land.  

 

The report shows that swimming prevents almost 80,000 cases of ill health each year. These statistics are not just numbers; they represent a significant opportunity to improve public health outcomes. With ill health costing the UK economy so much money the economic case for acting is also inarguable. 

 

The ‘Millions More Moving’ report by the Richmond Group of Charities further amplifies the importance of integrating physical activity into health strategies.  

 

Equipping healthcare professionals with the skills, knowledge and confidence to embed movement in the routine care they provide will make a major contribution to shifting the dial on inactivity and getting people with long-term conditions moving more.  

 

Last year NHS England and Swim England launched the Aquatic Activity and Swimming for Health e-learning resource to enhance learners’ confidence in identifying patients who would benefit most from aquatic exercise and this is a welcome step forward. Over 500 health professionals have accessed the resource, with NHS doctors describing it as “exceptionally helpful” 

 

At the same time, we need to do more to ensure that those working in swimming and leisure – who have a profound impact on our health, even if it is not in their job title – are supported to make the most of this. In my role at the Royal Society for Public Health, I hear time and time again that people in these roles want to do more, if we only give them the training and the freedom they need to do so. 

 

Starting by recognising the health and wellbeing role of this wider public health workforce, and ensuring that it is planned and supported in the same way as the NHS workforce, will be crucial to unlocking the benefits of swimming. 

 

It is important to recognise that no single solution will be appropriate in all locations and that a place-based approach is needed, utilising local knowledge to get the best results. NHS England should work with Integrated Care Boards to provide support and resources so that local leaders can use movement to solve local healthcare issues more comprehensively. 

 

Finally, we need to make sure our sport and leisure facilities are welcoming and inclusive spaces for people with long term health conditions. The Water Wellbeing accreditation scheme run by Swim England is a helpful tool in ensuring that the environment is both accessible and welcoming. Hundreds of pools are now Water Wellbeing accredited up and down the country. 

 

The three stages of Water Wellbeing are not just about the physical environment but also about staff awareness and attitudes, ensuring personalised delivery and demonstrating impact. This could include measures like inclusive customer service training for staff, the creation of tailored aquatic exercise sessions for groups and individuals and the development of case studies highlighting the personal stories and business impacts of Water Wellbeing. 

 

Movement is key to staying healthy at all ages of life. We know that the public want to be healthy. I’m incredibly passionate about the power of swimming, and physical activity more broadly, to transform lives, improve public health, and create stronger communities.  

 

With leadership, accountability and coordinated action across government departments, arm’s-length bodies and the physical activity sector, we can harness the full value of swimming and physical activity to build a healthier, happier, and more active society.