A campaign to encourage residents to explore the importance of self care and keeping fit and healthy is taking place this week.
The British Isles wide ‘Self Care For Life’ campaign aims to teach the public about the actions they can take to keep themselves and their families healthy.
Self care is about preventing illness or accidents and keeping fit and healthy, as well as knowing where to go for advice about treating minor illnesses or living with a long term condition such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease or lung conditions.
Ann Corkill, senior nurse of self care, said: ‘During Self Care Week, we aim to raise awareness about the support available for people to look after their own health and making self care a life-long habit.
‘It’s about recognising that you can make a contribution to your own and your family’s health and wellbeing, by choosing the right services for your health needs, such as coping with minor ailments by visiting your local pharmacy for advice and treatment.’
As part of the week-long campaign, which began on Monday, residents visited Noble’s Hospital to learn how to self manage minor illnesses and have a free blood pressure check. They met with hospital, community, mental and occupational staff to find out more about self care and where to go for advice.
A special walking netball taster session was also held at the NSC to highlight the benefits of exercise.
Tomorrow (Friday) a chair-based exercise session will take place in Port Erin between midday and 3.30pm, which is open to all.
Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK, said the campaign is important as it raises awareness about how to safely treat minor illnesses such as colds and fever and prevent avoidable but more serious long term conditions.
‘Self care and ill health prevention are fundamental parts of the Department’s strategy which supports the government’s priority to protect the vulnerable.
‘Helping people look after their own health by providing information, tools, support and care, enables people to stay well and to use health and care services appropriately. This helps us to manage demand, so that people receive care at the right time, in the right place.’
Self care information is available at local pharmacies and GP practices across the island. More details about the exercise session or about self care contact Ann Corkill on 811830 or email ann.corkill@gov.im.
Visit www.nhs.uk and follow the links to the Self Care Week page for more info.