My Care, My Way

This Self Care Week (14 – 20 November), the NHS in West London celebrates a new service for over 65’s to stay well and independent.

Recently introduced by the NHS West London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), ‘My Care, My Way’ connects patients with a team of people who can work with them to manage their own care in the best possible way, helping to manage long-term conditions and unnecessary trips to use GP and hospital services.

Dr Fiona Butler, Chair of West London CCG said: “Self-care is the difference between coping alone and being part of a supportive community. In West London we want patients to feel more confident in making informed decisions about their health. These can be simple lifestyle changes, new healthy habits, improving your social life or setting goals for yourself. ‘My Care, My Way’ provides additional support to help patients make those changes and achieve those goals.”

The new service is a multi-organisation partnership between GP surgeries, local hospitals, charities, voluntary organisations, community and social care, offering:

• More time – patients now have longer appointment times with their GP

• More support – a range of health and social care professionals to support wellbeing in every aspect of a patient’s life

• More help – two new integrated care centres in Ladbroke Grove (St Charles –Integrated Care Centre) and Chelsea (Violet Melchett – Integrated Care Centre) providing a wide range of services including diabetes clinics, pharmacists and social care services under one roof

• More choice – people can get involved in local activities to support them in looking after their own physical, social and emotional wellbeing.

Verna Parry, a patient who has used the ‘My Care, My Way’ service said: “I feel more confident having somebody to phone if I have a small problem. It is a very valuable part of my life now and I am very thankful to have this extra help.”

During Self Care Week, the ‘My Care, My Way’ team will be working with local community champion projects to send out key self-care messages in the local area. There will be an event for over 65’s and their carers on 17 November 2016 1-3pm at The Stowe Centre, 258 Harrow Road, W2 5ES.

If you are 65 or over and live in Kensington and Chelsea, Queen’s Park or Paddington and think that the ‘My Care, My Way’ service could help you then visit www.mycaremyway.co.uk to find out more.