People living in Kendal discussed their health and wellbeing needs when health and wellbeing experts visited the town.
They told representatives at the Health, Advice, Recovery, Resilience, Information engagement van that they wanted to see:
- Better access to GPs including face-to-face appointments
- A blood donation centre
- Outside exercise parks and more activities including bowling
- A long COVID clinic
- Drop-in wellbeing clinics.
Hasan Sidat, senior operational manager for recovery and resilience, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The aim of the van is to go out into communities and listen to what matters to people and offer advice, support and signposting.
“Kendal has been one of the busiest days we’ve seen so far from our visits to Cumbria and we’ve had some valuable feedback from the community which we have shared with relevant partners.
“It was amazing to see all our partners working together to make the event happen.”
Claire Niebieski, population health manager for Bay Health and Care Partners, said: “The HARRI van is a fantastic opportunity for our local communities to have a voice and share what is important to them.
“This valuable feedback from our community in Kendal will help to shape recommendations and inform local plans for services in the area.”
People could also see the Kendal Integrated Care Community (ICC) team for general health advice and blood pressure checks and the Innovation Agency carried out 50 atrial fibrillation checks.
Kendal Primary Care Network workers talked to people about the five ways to wellbeing, offering simple advice and signposting to services and St John’s Hospice was on hand to offer people bereavement support.
The following organisations were involved on the day: Kendal ICC, Innovation Agency; Carer Support South Lakes; The Lighthouse Community Mental Health Hub; Social Prescriber Link Workers from Kendal PCN; Health and Wellbeing Coaches from Cumbria County Council; Active Cumbria; COVID Recovery Team from University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust and The Well Communities.
