SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Healthy lifestyles fair at Crewkerne

PEOPLE living in and around Crewkerne had the opportunity earlier this month to get expert advice and information to improve their health and lifestyle.

Local GPs, the NHS, district council and voluntary sector organisations were offering free health advice at the Henhayes Community Centre, Crewkerne at a Healthy Lifestyle Fair.

Describing the aims of the health fair, Dr Sarah Pearce, a GP from the Springmead Surgery in Chard, said:  “As family doctors we want to encourage patients to stay healthy. Prevention is always better than cure and by making a few simple changes to your diet and lifestyle you could add years to your life.

“Many people want to improve their health but find it difficult to get motivated. One way is to join groups that can help give support to members.  Whether you are trying to lose weight or quit smoking, there are groups to help. You will also find healthy trainer groups and walking groups.  Ask at your GP surgery for details.”

PHOTO – TOP: GPs and local health organisations give public advice at Crewkerne Health Fair pictured (from left) are Laura Andrews (The Meadows Surgery, Ilminster), Di Ramsey (Age UK Somerset), Dr Sarah Pearce (GP, Springmead Surgery in Chard), Sue Chart (Somerset Partnership Trust - Integrated  Lifestyle Co-ordinator),  Emma Dunford (Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group), Helen Kennedy (Somerset CCG), Dr Emeline Dean  ( Foreground - GP Essex House Surgery, Chard), Sue Briggs (Diabetes UK) and Caroline May  (Somerset  NHS Stop Smoking Service).

Taking blood pressures at the Health Fair was Dr Emeline Dean, a GP from Chard and the chair of the Chard, Crewkerne and Ilminster GP Federation.

PHOTO - RIGHT:  Helen Kennedy from Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group offers advice on using your prescription medicines properly and not asking for antibiotics from the GP to treat colds.

David McVay, who visited the fair and had his blood pressure checked, afterwards said: “I'm fairly healthy so I don't usually think of having my blood pressure checked.   It was good to have a health check today. As someone who has just retired I think keeping healthy is essential.”

PHOTO – RIGHT: David McVay, a visiting member of the public had his blood pressure checked by Dr Emeline Dean, a GP from Chard.

Amongst the many displays and participating organisations was Sue Briggs, a volunteer with Diabetes UK.

Sue said:  “The number of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes is rising, but one of our major concerns is the number of people who have Type 2 diabetes but don't know it. If not diagnosed diabetes causes all sorts of serious medical complications.

“We have been advising people of the symptoms to look out for. We call these the four Ts. They stand for Toilet; you might notice you need to go the toilet more often; Thirst; you can find you are often thirsty. Tired; you may be feeling more tired than usual and Thinner; are you losing weight?

“If you think you may have symptoms of diabetes make an appointment to talk to your GP.”

PHOTO - RIGHT: Advice was on hand about Diabetes during the Healthy Lifestyle Fair at Crewkerne.

Advice was also on hand to anyone who wanted to quit smoking from the Somerset Stop Smoking Service.

Angie Ashmore, an ambulance care assistant from Yeovil who works for the South Western Ambulance Services NHS Trust, was also there to advise visitors to the fair how to administer CPR to a person who had had a heart attack.

Angie said: “Learning how to carry out basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a valuable skill that could help keep a heart attack victim alive until an ambulance or paramedic arrived.  We have also been showing parents how to deal with a baby or child who was choking.”

Health information and advice is always available from the NHS Choices web site at www.nhs.uk . If you become ill after your GP surgery has closed overnight or at weekends and Bank Holidays then telephone the new NHS telephone helpine - 111. Telephone calls to 111 are free from mobile or landlines.

PHOTO – ABOVE: Former smoker Baz, from Crewkerne, with Somerset NHS Stop Smoking Advisor, Caroline May, looking at a jar of tar. This jar showed how much tar went into the lungs of an average cigarette smoker over their lifetime.

PHOTO – ABOVE: Sue Chart, Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust - Integrated Lifestyle Co-ordinator, shows what just five pounds of excess body fat looks like. Next to Sue is Laura Andrews, of The Meadows Surgery, Ilminster.

PHOTO – ABOVE: Crewkerne Health Fair visitor Amanda Ellis is shown how to give CPR to a baby by Angie Ashmore, an Ambulance Care Assistant from Yeovil who works for the South Western Ambulance Services NHS Trust.

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