Members of Wirral’s black and minority ethnic (BME) communities are being invited into *Birkenhead Fire Station soon to find out about the many local services that can improve their health. The event is free to attend.
Wirral Stop Smoking Service – part of Wirral Primary Care Trust’s Health and Wellbeing Team - is organising the special one-day health fair on Wednesday, 12th December (from 11- 3) to raise awareness of the wide range of services available, including help with stopping smoking.
Although only a small percentage of the Wirral population are from BME groups, a recent equity audit showed that proportionally, numbers accessing the service are lower than expected. Wirral Primary Care Trust is keen that minority groups have the same opportunity as everyone else to benefit from free local NHS services.
Tobacco addiction of a slightly different kind is one of the issues smoking advisors like Pat Smye will be addressing on the day. Said Pat: “In some cultures chewing tobacco is regarded as a harmless pastime even though research has shown it to be just as harmful as smoking it. It's also very difficult to give up because - like cigarettes - chewing tobacco contains nicotine, which is highly addictive.
“Research has also shown that compared with the general population there are higher rates of heart disease among Pakistani and Bangladeshi men and higher rates of diabetes amongst Asians and Afro-Caribbeans.
“We want to raise awareness about the range of services available so that members of the Irish, Afro-Caribbean, Chinese and Asian communities and other minority ethnic groups can be more pro-active about their own health.�
Other services supporting the event in Birkenhead Fire Station include Lifestyle and Weight Management, Wirral Heartbeat, Healthy Schools, Irish Community Care and the Wirral Multi Cultural Organisation. Also attending will be the bi-lingual BME Fire Service advocates and other fire service personnel who will be offering advice on fire safety in the home. There will be displays and information plus refreshments.
Wirral Stop Smoking Service is working in partnership with the local Neighbourhood Renewal Programme to help people obtain the most appropriate healthcare at the right place and at the right time.
*Birkenhead Fire Station actively supports community health events like this one.
Note to News Editors: For more information please call Pat Smye
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