DOCTORS from Glasgow have joined colleagues across Scotland to demand major NHS action to tackle physical inactivity.

It comes in a report from the Scottish Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties, which represents doctors from 15 medical bodies across the country.

Their recommendations to the Scottish Government include training every GP by the end of next year to give patients advice and interventions for physical activity, just as they would for smoking and alcohol.

And all hospital assessments by the middle of next year to include questions about physical inactivity levels and diet alongside questions about smoking and alcohol.

The care system will also be targeted, as well as including education sessions at medical schools and highlighting walking routes from hospitals for the use of staff and patients.

The group say healthcare leaders in policy, medical education, health boards, hospitals, and Royal Colleges must renew their focus on tackling physical inactivity and that increasing knowledge of the required levels of physical activity among the public is imperative.

They support the UK Chief Medical Officers recommendation of 150 minutes of physical activity a week for adults and 60 minutes a day for school children.

"This report contains common-sense, cost-effective, concrete recommendations that we aim to work with doctors, nurses, all health professionals, health boards, universities, and the Scottish Government amongst others to implement," said Dr Andrew Murray, Cruden Clinical Leadership Fellow at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Glasgow.

"Many of our patients are surprised given the health benefits that these actions are not already happening routinely. Although great steps have been taken in the last five years, as an NHS in Scotland we are still a long way from achieving this and the Scottish Academy are committed to help make them happen."

Acting chief medical officer for Scotland Aileen Keel said the Scottish Government recognises that increasing physical activity levels is a top health priority.

"We need the help of doctors and other health care professionals to get this on the public's agenda," she added.

"All clinicians have the knowledge and skills to promote health as well as to treat illness, and they should be raising lifestyle risk factors, such as physical inactivity, with patients.

"It is a myth to say that it takes more than a couple of minutes to do this in a consultation, and the impact of a doctor raising these issues, as the evidence shows, can be very powerful.

"The Scottish Government welcomes this report and will review its specific recommendations and work together with the Academy to fully embed physical activity for health into health and social care in Scotland."