While our chair of FPS Yvonne Metcalf is away, I’ve been asked to write the introduction to this month’s FPS newsletter that focuses on men’s health.
As someone who now finds himself categorised as part of the older generation, I still try to do some regular excercise. My view is that it’s important to find activities that will be sustainable for the long term, and not just for a few weeks or months.
For me, that means visiting a gym two or three times a week and also once a week taking part in one of the Hertfordshire Health Walks that I would recommend to anyone looking to gently improve their health and fitness in a non – competitive environment. As the name suggests, the walks are designed for health and are conducted at a brisk pace, rather than a gentle ramble. However the walk leaders always take great care to ensure that everyone is comfortable with the distance and duration which is never more than around one and a half hours. Here is a link to the Dacorum walks timetable that shows the time and start locations for the walks that are currently available.
Another aspect of men’s health that I engage with is the five yearly health check that’s provided by Parkwood Surgery. I admit that I have to firmly push myself to accept the invitation that arrives as a text message, as part of me would rather not know about any warning signs about a new health condition. Then the phrase “burying my head in the sand” comes to mind and I make sure that I book an appointment that just involves a short discussion with a nurse who may also suggest a few further tests if you agree.
Of equal importance alongside physical health is the subject of men’s mental health. Over my lifetime, I’ve seen major improvements in attitudes to, for example bullying in the workplace and greater understanding and empathy towards loneliness that can affect older men in particular. However, at the same time, the rise of the internet and social media have introduced new challenges, such as scams that trick people into losing their life savings or by spreading false or distorted information, that can affect a person’s self esteem and to feel disconnected from their community and wider society.
Please click on the button below to read the information about Men’s Health that our communications commitee member Jo Bullen has put together.
As your committee, we regularly put forward your queries, concerns and feedback to the surgery management. Here are some of the top concerns you’ve raised with us, and the responses we’ve received from the surgery.
Obtaining appointments
A lot of conversations with patients continue to circulate around being able to book an appointment, which covers many areas such as the phone system and staffing levels. Some patient queries have been answered by the surgery as follows:
If you have general comments or queries, not relating to specific medical issues, please do get in touch so we can continue to present the patient perspective to the surgery.
Check out the minutes of our meetings
The minutes from FPS’ monthly meetings, including our most recent November meeting, are available here. We hope this will improve the transparency for patients so you can see your concerns and queries are being raised.
Knit and Natter Group
The Knit and Natter group continues to meet on Tuesdays from 2-4pm at the Community Hall on Great Sturgess Road. If you’d like to come along to it, or know someone who would like a chat and some company, please contact Val on 01442 255449.
Want to stay up to date?
One easy way to keep up to date with FPS’ events is to follow us on our Facebook page. Every time we update the website, we’ll post a link there!
Unsubscribe from FPS communications
If you wish to unsubscribe from receiving communications about FPS, you will need to contact the surgery to ask for this note to be placed on your file. FPS does not hold any data on patients other than that provided directly by them, such as emails sent to the FPS mailbox.
November is the month where men’s health, both physical and mental, comes to the forefront.
Movember has a wealth of resources, including a simple 5-point checklist for all men to know about their health. These include spending time with people who make you feel good and moving more.
The Repair Shed is aimed at bringing together older men to stay healthier and happier for longer by making, mending and learning.
Shape Up is a free 12-week weight loss programme with men-only classes. Find out more here.
BeeHappyPilates with Emma offers men-only pilates classes in Hemel Hempstead Old Town – find out more here.
Hemel is also lucky enough to have two walking football clubs – one run by Apex at the Active Dacorum Hub in Grovehill (contact alison.adams@apex360.co.uk for more information) and one run by Hemel Hempstead Football Club in Adeyfield (contact Dean Chance on secretary@hemelfc.com for more information).
Do you know of any other local initiatives to support men’s health? Let us know!
