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4 January 2008 "Find and Treat" Launch Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust’s “Find and Treat” Bus will be in Wigan and Leigh town centres soon, to announce and launch an innovative new local health-screening programme. The programme aims to find people with high blood pressure, early diabetes and high blood cholesterol and then to treat these conditions early. People will also have opportunity to discuss lifestyle issues and be referred on to services that promote healthy lifestyles. The Bus will be in Wigan town centre outside the Grand Arcade, Standishgate, on 10 January, and in Leigh town centre outside the Library, Civic Square, on 17 January – from 12 noon till 3.00 pm on each occasion. The “Find and Treat” programme is being launched by leaders from the PCT, including Alan Stephenson, Chairman, Peter Rowe, Chief Executive, Dr Marwan Ghalayini, Professional Executive Committee Chairman, together with Lord Peter Smith, Leader of Wigan Council. Also on board the Bus will be a variety of health professionals who will be able to offer information, advice and literature on the new programme. Visitors will also receive advice and support to help them make lifestyle changes that could lower the risk of developing this type of disease in the future – such as stopping smoking, taking more exercise, cutting down on alcohol and eating healthily. The screening programme will be implemented across the Borough on a phased basis, for patients in the target age range 50 to 74 years. All patients in this age range will have their risk of developing cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) in the next ten years calculated, and may be invited for a screening visit by their GP. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers nationwide and the main source of poor life expectancy in the Wigan Borough. The gap between Wigan and the national average has widened in the last three years. Commenting on the “Find and Treat” launch, Alan Stephenson, PCT Chairman said: “I believe this programme has the potential to make a real impact in reducing the burden of heart disease and stroke in the Borough.” Rona Cruickshank, Acting Director of Public Health added: “This will be a great opportunity to talk to people about their lifestyle and encourage changes in behaviour to promote health and well-being.” Lord Peter Smith, Leader of Wigan Council commented: “Prevention has got to be better than cure. We want to work with our partners in the health services to improve the quality of life for our residents.” ……………………….………….ends…………………….……………. Editors NotesPhotograph Opportunity – you are invited to send a press photographer to cover the launch of the “Find and Treat” programme by leaders from the PCT and Wigan Council – details as follows:
Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust is committed to reducing ill health and preventable disease by working with GP practices in the Borough to implement a screening programme for the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. For further information on this press release please contact: John Parkinson |
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