Author: Martin Driver

Southport Macmillan Centre is inviting those affected by cancer to its next Health and Wellbeing event and are encouraging people to join in on the monthly 5k parkrun with the team.

Health and Wellbeing event

The Centre is holding its next free Health and Wellbeing event at Southport College from from 2pm to 4pm on Thursday 13th April . The event will be a great opportunity to speak to local organisations, support groups, health professionals and centre staff.

Dr Graeme Allan, Macmillan GP and primary care cancer lead for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside in Sefton, said: “This regular event is a great opportunity for people to meet others who have had similar experiences – it is always good to share.

“Everyone is welcome to come along and talk to a friendly face and to see what kind of support is out there. Come along, have a chat and be entertained by the amazing Macmillan singers – all in one place!”

To book a place at the Health and Wellbeing event in April, call 01704 533024.

Lace up those trainers

Keeping active has many benefits including helping people cope with cancer treatment and reduce the risk of it returning.

The Macmillan team is inviting people to join them on the last Saturday of every month at Hesketh Park for the 5k Your Way parkrun. It’s a community initiative and not just for runners. Participants are encouraged to walk, jog, run, cheer, or volunteer and attendees can go at their own pace.

They meet at 8.50am by Hesketh Park’s children’s playground). The event is really well organised with marshals lining the route and walk leaders taking part so you’re never on your own. There are 3 different laps making up the 5K and you do whatever you can……it’s the taking part that matters!

Attendees need to register at www.parkrun.org.uk.

Get moving with a supportive group

Dr Octavia Stevens, Southport and Formby Primary Care Network cancer lead and GP at Ainsdale Village Surgery, said: “5k Your Way! is a great way to get moving with a supportive group at your own pace, we had our first run on 28 February and it was great to run together. If you do come along do feel free to meet the team for a tea or coffee in the Hesketh Park café after.

“Exercise has huge benefits and can help reduce cancer related fatigue, improve fitness and psychological wellbeing and is social and fun!”

You can find out more about Southport Macmillan Centre events supporting those affected by cancer, here.

Health leaders are urging members of the public to use services appropriately ahead of planned 72-hour industrial action by junior doctors, from Monday 13th to Wednesday 15th March.

Cheshire and Merseyside trusts set to be affected

All NHS Trusts across Cheshire and Merseyside set to be affected by the strike.

Prof Rowan Pritchard-Jones, Medical Director at NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, says there is likely to be significant service disruption and is urging people to make NHS 111 Online their first port of call for non-emergency health needs.

Disruption

Prof Pritchard-Jones said: “The NHS has tried and tested plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety and manage any disruption, including industrial action, but inevitably a walkout on this scale is likely to lead to significant service disruption.

“Urgent and emergency care services will be open but, with NHS services already under pressure, it has arguably never been more important for people to use the available services appropriately.

“We are immensely grateful to the people of Cheshire and Merseyside for continuing to use NHS services thoughtfully. If you need to access a healthcare service, but it’s not an emergency, please use NHS 111 Online to ensure you are signposted to the right service first time.”

Attend as planned

The NHS will continue to do everything it can to go ahead with planned procedures – especially for patients in greatest clinical need – and will contact you if an appointment needs to be rescheduled. If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned.

Local NHS services will also keep their websites and social media accounts up-to-date with information about local service disruption – so please check before you travel.

Prof Pritchard-Jones added: “Irrespective of any industrial action, please do not hesitate to come forward to access care if you need it.”

NHS111 Online

NHS 111 Online can tell you:

• Where to get help for your symptoms
• How to find general health information and advice
• Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
• How to get a repeat prescription

More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the national NHS website.