Healthcare advice (From Penarth Times)

Healthcare advice

VALE of Glamorgan AM Jane Hutt was in Penarth on Tuesday to launch the 'Healthmap' initiative which aims to provide locals with a clear guide to the healthcare services available.

The schemes answers questions like: How do you register with a GP? Which surgery is nearest to your home? What about opticians, dentists or pharmacists?

And where do you find information about libraries and leisure centres, residential or nursing homes, hospitals, the Community Health Council, Age Concern or the Citizens Advice Bureau?

All this useful information is now available on an innovative pictorial 'Community Healthmap' which shows at a glance and on one single document a full range of services, where they are and how to contact them.

The guides are available from dentists, doctors' surgeries, opticians and libraries throughout the Vale.

A spokesperson for the Vale of Glamorgan Local Health Board said: "The Healthmap, which has been put together by the Vale of Glamorgan Local Health Board, is the result of a series of meetings of a special Focus Group, made up of members of the public.

"Not only did the feedback point to a need for clear information in words and pictures but there are also firm indications that people are more likely to hold on to a map than a more conventional leaflet or booklet."

Abigail Harris, Chief Executive of Vale of Glamorgan Local Health Board, said the team was delighted to welcome the Health and Social Services Minister to launch a very practical and tangible guide to health and other services in the Vale of Glamorgan.

She said: "This Community Healthmap is an excellent example of the ability of Local Health Boards and their partner organisations to respond to the needs and wishes of local people. The Healthmap is also recognition that a seemingly simple idea can have real benefits by keeping people informed of services."