How do you look after yourself?

As services, such as the NHS, come under increasing pressure, people are being encouraged to take greater responsibility for looking after their own health and wellbeing, in order to prevent the likelihood of them needing to receive treatment and support both now and in the future.

Early in 2019 Sirona care & health conducted a survey, jointly with Healthwatch, to find out more about where people in South Gloucestershire go for advice, what services they use and what hobbies they participate to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Self-care is a key part of the new NHS Long Term Plan, with the aim of helping people to live longer and healthier lives, and to make vital savings in healthcare.  As a result, health services and organisations such as Healthwatch, are helping to promote the benefits of self-care to members of the public.

Alex Francis, Healthwatch South Gloucestershire Manager, said;

“Self-care can be simple, such as treating minor ailments such as coughs and colds at home.  It can be making choices that help you to lead a healthier lifestyle such as walking 10,000 steps per day, volunteering or learning new skills.”

“Through this survey we want to find out if people know what self-care means and how they go about achieving this in South Gloucestershire.”

Jenny Theed, Sirona’s Director of Nursing and Operations, said: 

“We are passionate about listening to people and working with individuals, families and carers to make things better. Many things can be prevented by making small lifestyle changes and we want people in South Gloucestershire to know where they can go to get the information and support to help them achieve those changes and what we can do to improve that information for communities. We hope people will take part in this survey and speak to Healthwatch.”

To find out more about Sirona care & health go to Sirona care & health.