Speak Up! in Littleborough

Health Trainer Michelle Duffy shows off her healthy face paint.

Health plans were the talk of the town last weekend at the Speak Up! consultation event in Littleborough.

Hundreds showed up for the event, held at the memorial garden on Railway Street.

The health road show, led by NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, gave local people the chance to have their say on health plans for the borough over the next five years, on various areas including lifestyle, mental health, GP services, hospital care and dental care. 

Hundreds of consultation booklets were handed out and more than 30 face to face interviews were held. Many visitors took the Wii Fit challenge, while others had their faces painted with healthy food designs.

The Health Trainers were also there to give advice on diet, exercise and stopping smoking programmes.

Denise Dawson, Patient Experience Manager for NHS HMR, said: “The event went really well and we are really pleased with the turnout of local residents. It’s encouraging to see that the health issues being addressed in the Speak Up! consultation are clearly very important to local people.”

Over the last couple of months NHS HMR has distributed copies of the consultation booklet through the doors of everyone over 16 who is registered with a GP. People can also take part by completing the online feedback form at www.speakupnow.co.uk, where full details of the consultation can also be found.

Those completing feedback forms will be entered into a free prize draw to win a choice of a Wii and Wii Fit console, a Weekend break for two or a 12 month Link4Life leisure pass for two. 

The consultation period runs until 7 November 2008 and the final plan will be published in March 2009.