Public health meeting to be held in Lisburn

Lisburn PPG is the longest established Patient Participation Group in Northern Ireland.

Part of Drs Forde and Quinn Practice, it is the only nationally recognized PPG in the Lisburn Health Centre, aCentre which serves over 155,000 patients in the greater Lisburn Area.

The principle aim of the PPG is to encourage patients to take centre stage in the planning and delivery of health services in the Lisburn area.

The PPG is working towards achieving that goal through twin objectives of being actively involved with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Project Team charged with the responsibility of building Lisburn’s new health centre and staging information events to enable patients to gain a better understanding of their own health needs.

Lisburn PPG Chair, Ray Largan said: “The Group has been very fortunate to obtain the services of two highly experienced health practitioners who will speak at this event.

“Firstly, Linda Convert, a Health Development Dietician who will talk about ‘how to eat in the modern world and improve personal well-being.’

“Secondly, Alison Donnelly, a specialist allergy nurse, who will talk on ‘allergies from birth’ and demonstrate the use of allergy pens such as Epipen, a subject that will interest mothers of young children.

“In between these two speakers, local man Stefan Ginesi, will give a personal account about his remarkable weight loss and what had led up to his gross overweight.”

There will also be a speaker from the Health Trust Project Team who will explain where Lisburn’s New Health Centre is to be built, when the building work will commence and the anticipated date of completion.

After the speakers have finished, there will be a short Q and A Session.

Practice Nurses together with Leisureplex Health Officers will be on hand throughout the evening, offering health promotion advice on blood pressure checks, BMI (body mass index) and the health benefits of regular exercise.

Light refreshments will be available.