Green Prescription Patient Survey 2018 Report

This report presents the findings from the 2018 Green Prescription (GRx) adult patient survey, conducted for the Ministry of Health from March to May 2018.

The GRx patient survey allows the Ministry to monitor the performance of the GRx initiative each year. The ongoing success of the programme is measured against eight key performance indicators (KPIs), developed by the Ministry. This measurement is also used to provide feedback to the 17 contract holders around the country. 

Summary of findings

Here are some of the findings from the almost 3000 respondents to the 2018 survey:

• as in previous years, ‘weight problems’ was the usual reason patients were issued with a GRx (52 percent)
• high blood pressure and risk of stroke was second at 23 percent followed by arthritis (26 percent) and back pain (25 percent), stress relief (19 percent) and diabetes (16 percent).
• six to eight months after receiving their Green Prescription, 61 percent of patients are still more active than they were before getting their GRx
• 71 percent have noticed positive changes in their health
• 57 percent feel stronger and fitter
• 43 percent have lost weight
• 67 percent encouraged others to be active
• 74 percent are active by themselves
• 30 percent are active with a family member
• 22 percent are active with friends
• 65 percent have made changes to their diet (21 percent stating they are consuming less sugar).

And what about the support provided for their lifestyle change?

• Most respondents are satisfied (84 percent) with the overall support received from regional sports trusts and primary health organisations. The main drivers of satisfaction continue to be the encouraging and supportive behaviour of GRx support personnel during follow-up contact and improved health, motivation, confidence and happiness.
• Once again walking is the most popular activity (63 percent), followed by swimming (50 percent), water or pool activities (44 percent), gym (41 percent), and GRx community groups or programmes (20 percent).
• As for previous years, one third of the survey respondents were aged over 65 years and two thirds were female. European New Zealanders made up 56 percent of the respondents, Māori 18 percent and Pacific peoples 11 percent.
• Many respondents (50 percent) have a long-term disability or impairment that limits their physical activity.