On the evening of Tuesday the 17th of September, the doors opened to 13 of our patients who took part in the LIVE WELL YOUR WAY sessions, our first 6 week lifestyle group consultation.
Group consultations bring together individuals helping them to better manage their own health and share their experiences and learning. They foster a sense of community between patients and staff, allowing everyone to learn from each other in a safe and secure setting, making a real difference to day-to-day life.
Facilitated by the PCNs Manager, Ayesha and hosted by Alice, one of the PCNs health and wellbeing coaches, a broad range of topics were covered. These included the Mediterranean dietary pattern for good health and how to make this a way of eating from a practical point of view; understanding how food labels can be misleading; managing chronic stress and the importance of regular physical activity daily, even with mobility or strength limitations.
The participants used the opportunity within sessions to put questions to our First Contact Physiotherapist Aizaz about the best stretches and every day exercises we can all do. Our GP Dr. Lambert encouraged open talks about sleep and sleep hygiene and Alice generated a debate about the positives and drawbacks of meal planning and batch cooking as well as cholesterol lowering foods and their place in the diet.
At the 6th session on October 22nd we had a frank discussion about the real benefits for the participants and how it positively affected them and their lives having attended the group sessions. We learned about setting goals in week 2 and some participants were already on the road to adopting changes that were going to help them become fitter, healthier and stronger.
The sense of empowerment that group consultations give to those who attend is a sure sign that they’re the way forward, never mind the blossoming of friendships which has led to the prospect of a follow up group session in the new year!
Alice Cassidy, HWBC (RNutr). Ramsbury & Wanborough Surgeries, Burbage and Great Bedwyn Surgeries.
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