Services and schemes available in Sefton to support residents to take control of their health and wellbeing are highlighted during a campaign this week (13-19 November 2017) from the borough’s two NHS clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).

NHS Southport and Formby CCG and NHS South Sefton CCG are celebrating Self Care week with a series of video stories focusing on the ways people can look after their health, as well as some of the schemes and services to help them to do this, by giving them new skills and information about taking better care of their physical and mental wellbeing.

Speaking about the campaign, Dr Rob Caudwell, chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG and local GP, said: “The video stories featured on the CCGs’ websites and social media are an excellent way of highlighting how people can treat themselves and look after their own health and wellbeing.”

Sefton residents are also being reminded that one of the quickest and easiest ways to get advice on self care is to visit any high street pharmacy. Chemists can provide expert help and advice about caring for minor illnesses and ailments, along with healthy living.

Dr Andy Mimnagh, chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, (below) said: “Many unnecessary visits to the GP or to the A&E department can be avoided through self care. When it comes to treating minor ailments and illnesses, it’s important to examine your options. By simply visiting your local pharmacist and having a well stocked medicine cabinet, many conditions can be better managed at home.”

As well as the regular support people can access from their local pharmacy, 17 across Sefton also offer Care at the Chemist, which ensures more vulnerable residents who do not normally pay for their prescriptions have quick, easy and free access to medicines for range of minor illnesses and ailments without the need for a doctor’s appointment.

Embracing self care is all about the little things people can do every day to live well and be healthy. Being active, eating healthily and learning when to treat common ailments without the need for a doctor’s appointment are all ways to embrace self care.

Dr Caudwell said: “There are so many easy things we can all do to help ourselves, such as keeping active, eating well, stopping smoking and limiting alcohol to recommended levels are all important in helping us maintain physical and mental health.”

The video stories featured on the CCGs’ websites and social media during Self Care week  highlight the range of help and advice available at local pharmacies in Sefton, the support for older residents to help them prevent injuring themselves due to falls at Active Lifestyle’s Active Ageing group, the methods and techniques residents can adopt to look after their mental health and wellbeing and much more.

The video stories will be posted every day through self care week on the CCG’s website at www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk and www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk and on their Twitter accounts at @NHSSFCCG or @NHSSSCCG.

More information on how everyone can use self care to improve their health and wellbeing is also available on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk and from the Self Care Forum at www.selfcareforum.org