From your Patient Participation Group (PPG)
Every month the Academy Medical Centre Patient Participation Group raises awareness of some of the health and wellbeing campaigns running nationally and worldwide.
The PPG would like to highlight the following campaigns in October:
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month: a worldwide annual campaign taking place in October, involving thousands of organisations, to highlight the importance of breast awareness, education and research. Breast Cancer Now is the leading breast cancer charity in Scotland, and supports research and services across the country. Further information is available at www.breastcancernow.org.
- Back Care Awareness Week from 7 to 11 October, run by BackCare, the UK's leading charity for those impacted by back or neck pain: This year, the charity focuses awareness week on back health among golfers whether they are junior/seasoned, men/women, amateur/professional and provide healthy tips to enjoy the sport. Did you know golf is a more dangerous sport than Rugby? National Centre for Health Statistics show "low back injuries account for 15.2% to 34% of all golf injuries, followed by injuries to the elbow (7% to 27%), shoulder (4% to 19%) and wrist 10%". More information is available on the campaign website.
- World Osteoporosis Day (WOD) on 20 October: Osteoporosis is the hidden, underlying cause of painful, debilitating and life-threatening fractures. For more information about osteoporosis visit the Royal Osteoporosis Society website. The Society's aim is to help the nation look after its bones and appreciate the importance of bone health for everybody, and for those who do develop osteoporosis, to help them live well.
You can get involved and raise awareness by talking about the campaigns, tweeting or sharing on social media, or by donating and pledging your support.
The PPG would like to remind patients that flu and shingles vaccinations will be taking place at WHCCC this year. Further information is available in the Flu Clinics news item.
About the PPG
The Academy Medical Centre PPG has worked with the practice since 2010 to enhance the delivery of primary care services in a number of areas.
You can make a difference to the Practice too! To get involved or find out more about the work and how the PPG assists the practice and you, the patient, see the Academy Medical Centre PPG page. Notes of our meetings are also available to give you a real flavour of what we're doing.
