A new Café Clinic designed to support older people living with long term conditions is opening in Whitwell in October, as part of a new pilot scheme.
The clinics, part of a two year pilot programme running in different locations across the Island, are designed to bring together a range of NHS, Social care and Voluntary sector services in one location to help older people to manage their own health and wellbeing in a relaxed, local setting.
Organisations like Age UK, Isle of Wight Society for the Blind, Action on Hearing Loss, the Independent Living Centre and others together with health trainers, local pharmacists, community matrons and health care assistants come together in one location to provide advice, information and support at the same time, each month.
Alison Geddes, Clinical Commissioning Group Commissioning Manager for Long term conditions said:
“People with long-term conditions often need regular checks with a range of different healthcare professionals but these can be difficult to access if the person has mobility problems or if they live in a more isolated part of the Island.
“We’ve been piloting the clinics, as part of the ‘My life, a full life’ programme, to bring health services out to people in their local community areas and to deliver them in a more coordinated way to enable people to look after themselves more confidently and take more control over managing their own conditions.
People can come in and have their blood pressure checked, or have their blood tests taken, seek advice about financial pressures, diet, sight and hearing difficulties, talk through problems with their medication, learn how to use inhalers or other equipment or simply pop in for a friendly chat and a cup of tea.”
A similar pilot running in East Cowes has had some very good feedback with those attending saying they found “They received all the support that was necessary”, that it was “marvellous” and they were “deeply appreciative of the cheerful attitude as well as the practical care of the team who helped to “put (their) mind at ease”.
The Whitwell Cafe Clinic will be open on 10th October between 10:00 and noon at Whitwell Village Hall and will then operate monthly. On the 10th October flu vaccinations will be available, so people are advised to come early. There is no need to book – unless you wish to specifically meet with a community matron – and it is open to all older residents living in the Whitwell area who would like to attend.
Photo: Shane Thornton
