The government has unveiled plans to establish a new medical discipline focusing on sports injuries as part of its plans to keep Britain healthy and exercising.

Announced on Monday by health secretary John Reid, the Sports and Exercise Medicine (SEM) unit would train doctors not only to treat sports injuries, but also to prevent them.

The doctors, working under the NHS would be available to everyone from “reluctant keep-fitters to Olympic athletes” and will work through hospitals, schools, community groups and professional sports clubs.

We are committed to making sure that the public is not only fit, active and healthy but has access to the right healthcare provision to support their lifestyle,” said Reid.

“We want to make the NHS not just a sickness service but a keep well service for patients and the public.”

Sports minister Richard Caborn added that the move was also designed to keep talented doctors in the country.

“Up to now, many young British doctors who have wanted to concentrate on sport and exercise have moved abroad and often stayed abroad, leading to a ‘brain drain’ of experts in this important field.

“Research shows that if we can increase adult physical activity by as little as 10 per cent we could prevent 6,000 premature deaths a year. SEM doctors will play a big part in helping us hit this target.”

Government figures show that, in 2002, more than 700,000 people attended accident and emergency departments due to sports injuries.