Liberal Democrat MP Danny Chambers attended the Swimming as Medicine parliamentary event, hosted by Swim England and the Royal College of Nursing.
The aim of the event was to highlight the important role swimming plays in improving public health and supporting the NHS.
The event showcased how swimming can help individuals manage long-term health conditions, support mental wellbeing, and reduce demand on NHS services.
Swimming has been shown to prevent almost 80,000 cases of ill health each year.
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Danny Chambers attended the Swimming as Medicine parliamentary event (Image: Danny Chambers) The event also underlined the importance of maintaining access to swimming facilities to ensure communities can benefit from being active in the water.
The Swimming as Medicine campaign is a series of videos aimed at health professionals, outlining how transformative being active in the water can be for individuals and to encourage and support health professionals to recommend swimming and aquatic activity to their patients.
Swim England research identified nurses as a trusted, key professional group in influencing behaviour change at an individual patient level.
Previous waves of the campaign have focused on GPs and physiotherapists.
Mr Chambers said: “Swimming is a fantastic way to help people lead healthier, happier lives.
“It aligns with the identified strategic NHS shifts of moving care from hospitals into the community and shifting the focus from treatment to prevention.
“By investing in and promoting swimming as a health intervention, we can empower more people to take charge of their health while reducing pressure on our healthcare system.”
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The event also addressed the growing challenge of ensuring public access to swimming facilities, as pools face significant pressures.
Mr Chambers added: “As MPs, we have a vital role in supporting our healthcare system, and protecting access to swimming facilities is a key part of this.
“Swimming pools are much more than leisure amenities—they are essential public health resources that help prevent illness and keep people out of hospitals.
“Ensuring their future is a priority for our communities and the NHS alike.
“I will continue to champion the benefits of physical activity, and swimming, across Winchester and the Meon Valley.”