Patients to speak up on health issues

A new health group has been set up to give patients in Newark a stronger voice.

The Newark Patient Participation Self Help Group has been formed by patient groups from the three doctors surgeries in the town.

Representatives from Lombard Street Surgeries, Barnbygate Surgery and the Fountain Medical Centre have formed a committee to run the group.

The chairman is Mr Brian Longmate, a member of the Friends of Lombard Street Surgeries.

He said they aimed to make people aware of how they could look after themselves and what services were available to them.

A committee member, Mrs Anna Hickman, who leads the patient group at the Fountain Medical Centre, said: “It gives people in Newark a stronger voice on their own health.”

She said the group could ensure equality across all three surgeries by looking at the services each provided.

Mrs Hickman said they wanted more people, particularly younger people, to get involved in the group.

“Nobody can be excluded. Everyone has something to give regardless of their disabilities,” she said.

The group is organising a health awareness day next month.

“We hear a lot of people say, ‘I didn’t realise that was there — I could have got help a long time ago.’ People haven’t got to struggle to find services,” said Mr Longmate.

The event, on Wednesday, October 13, at Newark Town Hall, will be supported by medical staff from all three surgeries.

GPs and other health professionals will advise on a range of health topics.

There will be hour-long sessions on sexual health, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity, diabetes and stroke, and end-of-life care and people will be able to ask general questions.

Surgery nurses will carry out blood pressure checks.

Visitors can browse 20 stalls covering different health issues, including breast cancer and Parkinson’s Disease.

Local groups such as The Puffins, for people with respiratory conditions, have been invited to take stalls.

The event will run from 10am-4pm.