Comic guest for LiveLife

Phil Hammond

Comedian and television doctor Phil Hammond will be one of the star guests at 'LiveLife 2008', the health conference and exhibition being staged in Rochdale on Wednesday 5 March.

The broadcaster and journalist will be showing how 'laughter is the best medicine' during his appearance at the event being held at the Odeon Cinema at Sandbrook Park from 9.30 am - 7.00 pm. 

Mr Hammond, a registered GP currently practicing in Bristol, has completed a sell out nationwide tour including a four week run at the Edinburgh Festival.  His TV credits include, 'Have I got News for You, 'Trust Me, I'm A Doctor', 'The Motion Show', 'Pillories of the State' and BBC1's 'Heaven and Earth Show'. His new book, 'Medicine Balls' was published in the Autumn.

The comic will be taking to the stage during the afternoon of the event being held in partnership with Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust and Rochdale Borough Council.  The event is aimed at showing how the two organisations are working to improve health in the borough with a huge range of interactive demonstrations, exciting activities and presentations.  

A wide range of demonstrations will be on show, covering all aspects of healthy living, including physical activity, sexual health, healthy eating and oral health. 

To launch the event, leaders of the PCT and Council will sign a 'Statement of Strategic Intent,' committing their organisations to work together to improve the health of people across the borough. 

The morning will feature speakers from the Audit Commission and the Patients' Council, who will explain why continued connectivity is imperative to improve the health and wellbeing of the population. 

The afternoon and evening will provide a full programme of drop-in workshops, along with three seminars on Older People's Provision in the Borough, Mental Wellbeing and our 'Beacon' status Healthy Schools initiative. 

Rachel Snow-Miller from the Primary Care Trust says there will be something for everyone: "This is a fun and fantastic opportunity for everyone across the borough to get involved and learn how to live a healthier lifestyle ... there will be plenty of great talks, workshops and seminars."

The day will also mark the launch of the new Health Improvement Network for the borough which aims to provide a regular forum for those in the voluntary and public sector to build even better relationships. 

Dr Phil Hammond will be travelling up from Somerset to tell visitors how 'laughter is the best medicine.'

Admission is free.