News from Denman Local Health Advisory Committee

8 February 2010

Most health facilities in the Hunter New England Area Health Service have a Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC), consisting of community members and health service representatives.

Denman LHAC meets every two months to discuss local health issues and to provide the Multi Purpose Service (MPS) with community feedback.

“The LHAC provides a vital role in advising and assisting the health service to continually improve the services and also tells us what we need to do to meet the needs of the community,” said Margaret Smith, Health Service Manager at Denman MPS.

Along with MPS and community health staff, the committee’s aim in 2010 is to identify some local health activities that could improve people’s health and lifestyle in Denman.

“To be able to do this, we need to have input from the Denman community to determine what they would believe and would support,” Mrs Smith said.

The following promotions have been suggested to the LHAC:

• My Health Record – This is a red book (similar to the blue book used for newborns) which is provided free of charge. It is used to record all medical conditions, current prescribed medications and the dosages, medical appointments with your local GP and specialists.

• Falls prevention by providing aerobics, balance and resistance activities – Did you know that each year 30 per cent of people aged 65 or older will have a fall? We would like to assist in the prevention of falls by providing aerobics, balance and resistance activities. This is aimed at the 60-plus age group, but not limited to this age group.

• Diabetes education – In the form of newsletters or support groups (yet to be decided).

“If any of these health promotion areas interest you, it would be appreciated if you could fill out one of the forms located at either Denman MPS or Denman Dapkos,” Mrs Smith said.

Contact: Carisa Green

Phone: 6767 7135