What if the biggest barrier to exercise for people with health conditions is not their condition, but the paperwork? At Nuffield Health, the team is challenging the outdated PAR-Q and GP sign-off process, which often creates confusion, delays, and discourages participation. It also places unrealistic governance burdens on fitness providers.
This session will share how the model is being shifted, moving from gatekeeping to informed patient consent and transferring responsibility from providers to patients. It is a bold change - one that disrupts long-standing training, policy, and culture across healthcare and fitness. But the reward? A more inclusive, accessible, and patient-led approach to physical activity.
Dr Davina Deniszczyc joined Nuffield Health as London Clinical Lead GP in 2010. During her time with the organisation, Davina has held a number of senior roles including Professional Head of Physicians, Wellbeing Medical Director, Charity and Market Development Director, and most recently Charity and Medical Director.
Having graduated from the University of Manchester in 2003, Davina trained as a GP and, in 2007, gained membership to the Royal College of General Practitioners. During her time as a GP, she worked in the NHS before going on to establish independent wellness clinics within some of her GP surgeries.
In her current role, Dr Deniszczyc is responsible for developing initiatives focussed on improving health and wellbeing across the full spectrum – from prevention through to cure – delivering significant and measurable benefits to more people. She also continues to practise as a GP one day a week.
