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INDUSTRY VIEWS

COMMUNITY REHAB THAT RIVALS NHS OUTCOMES AT A LOWER COST

New research published in Musculoskeletal Care confirms what we’ve seen on the ground for some time now: digital rehabilitation programmes delivered through community leisure centres can achieve outcomes equivalent to NHS Physiotherapy, but at a lower cost. In our study, we evaluated the progress of more than 4,400 people with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions using Good Boost and compared this to over 2,700 individuals receiving face-to-face Physiotherapy. The results showed similar improvements in physical function, pain, mental wellbeing and overall health, with a saving of £168.72 per person. Good Boost is a tablet-based, personalised programme that can be delivered in pools, studios or at home. Between 2022 and 2024, we rolled it out across 136 leisure venues, delivered by trained leisure staff rather than clinicians. This model challenges assumptions about where healthcare should take place and proves that with the right tools, community spaces can offer clinically comparable support. With relatively low investment in training and technology, leisure centres can become local health hubs, improving access and easing pressure on already stretched GP and Physiotherapy services. We also saw commercial benefits. In several pilot sites, up to 50 per cent of participants transitioned into paid memberships, showing that improving health outcomes and creating sustainable business models can go hand in hand. It’s a powerful example of what’s possible when we bridge the gap between health and fitness. Our model aligns closely with the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan for England, which focuses on delivering more care in community settings, enhancing digital support and prioritising prevention over treatment. Good Boost is community- based, digitally enabled and habit-forming, offering people early, supported access to care that fits into everyday life. This is one of the largest real-world evaluations of a community-led digital health intervention for MSK conditions. What makes it special is that it was co-designed with patients and communities from the start. That’s why it works, and why it’s inclusive, scalable and effective. To scale further, we now need outcome-based local commissioning that values non-traditional providers, clear referral pathways including self-referral and social prescribing, and robust data capture to ensure we continue learning and improving. Good Boost offers a proven, cost-effective solution for delivering accessible, community-based care, and I believe it’s time we fully recognise the vital role leisure centres can play in the future of healthcare.

We’ve proven that clinically effective rehab doesn’t have to happen in a hospital