PCT Annual General Meeting to highlight the importance of healthy living

John Pierce, Chairman of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT

All residents of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale are invited to attend Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust’s (PCT) first Annual General Meeting as a new boroughwide organisation.

Local people are encouraged to attend and hear how the PCT has been working towards improving community healthcare services.

Chairman of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT, John Pierce will be giving a brief presentation to highlight the PCT’s achievements, the vision for future healthcare and the annual accounts will be presented by Joanne Newton, Executive Director of Finance and Economic Reform.

The main feature for this year’s event involves interactive activities based on promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Local people are invited to participate and learn healthy lifestyle tips and get useful information from health professionals.

People can choose to:

• Take part in armchair exercises or create a nutritious drink on the Cycle Smoothie Machine
• Get advice on stopping smoking, oral health, diabetes, and sexual health
• Learn how to understand what labels on foods really mean
• Watch a Stir Fry Demonstration
• De- stress in a relaxation class

To sign up for practical workshops call Elaine Bottomley on 01706 652837.

Places are limited, and booking should be made before Wednesday 19 September 2007. 

The Annual General Meeting is to be held at Castlemere Community Centre, 26 September 2007, 5.30pm-8.00pm.

John Pierce, Chairman of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT said: “The PCT has made good progress in improving local health services, there is still a lot of work to do, but I am confident this progress will continue, ensuring the people of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale have better access to healthcare services.

"We are working hard to provide more healthcare out of hospitals and in community based settings wherever possible. There are already some terrific examples of community care being carried out locally -  Home Intravenous Therapy and Anticoagulant Clinics for instance. In the future many more services will provided in the home or in the community to ensure patients have shorter waits, faster treatment in more convenient locations.

“A new drive to focus on self care and education with an aim to improve the health and wellbeing of local people has arisen due to the increased number of people with long term conditions. The long lasting effects of all these chronic diseases are caused by smoking, poor diet and a lack of physical activity. As health professionals we know that benefits to improving the health of the population begin the minute more people start making healthier choices. Therefore we hope many people will benefit and enjoy our healthy lifestyle activities on the day.”