Crawley Down patients turn out for preventative health and wellbeing day
Patients in Crawley Down turned out in strong numbers for a special afternoon of walk-in clinics, health advice and wellbeing support as Modality Mid Sussex Division hosted a Patient Health and Wellbeing Day at Crawley Down Health Centre.
The event was designed to make it easier for people to access important health checks and advice without needing to book an appointment in advance.
Services on offer included blood pressure and cholesterol checks, free NHS Health Checks for eligible patients, walk-in smear tests, CPR teaching and educational sessions focused on blood pressure, sugar control and bone health.
Patients were also able to connect with local wellbeing and community support services during the event.
The afternoon, held on on Thursday 26 March, was built around prevention, access and patient engagement, with a particular focus on helping people who may find it harder to attend appointments during the working day. By offering walk-in support later into the evening, the event aimed to increase uptake of important checks such as NHS Health Checks and cervical screening, while also creating more opportunities for patients to access advice and support in a flexible way.
Dr Ellie Flatman, Executive Partner for Modality Mid Sussex Division, said:
We wanted to make it easier for patients to access important preventative checks and support, particularly those who may find it difficult to get to the practice during the working day.
The response from patients was strong from the outset, with queues forming before the doors opened and a high level of engagement throughout the afternoon.
Dr Flatman said the early turnout and positive atmosphere showed just how valuable these events can be, with patients engaging not only with clinical checks but also with the wider support available from community and wellbeing partners.
Michelle Taylor, 55, attended after seeing information about the event online and through the Modality NHS App. She said:
After having lost a lot of weight in the last year and a bit, I decided that it was time to have other bits checked out. I have a very healthy, active lifestyle, but because of that, I don’t often come to the doctors.
I saw this advertised and thought it would be a good idea to just check out my blood pressure and my cholesterol and my sugars.
I would suggest anybody, if they get the chance, to come and do this, because you never know, it might pick something up that you’re not aware of.
Another patient, Liz Logan, said she was pleased to see the event promoted through the NHS App and welcomed the chance to take part in the CPR session. She said:
I thought it was a really good idea, because I used to be in health promotion myself, so why not have these days, they’re good.
The CPR, which I’ve just done, was a really good reminder of what I knew in the past, because it’s changed a lot, been updated, and actually it takes the fear out of yourself being in a situation where you find somebody’s keeled over and needs to have CPR.
The day highlighted how general practice, community partners and local wellbeing organisations can work together to support people to stay well, identify risks early and access practical help close to home.
NHS Surrey and Sussex continue to support approaches that improve access to preventative care and help communities take action to protect their health and wellbeing.
Watch a video about the health and wellbeing day below.