Talks included: improving lifestyle in diabetes (in both English and Bengali), help for people with visual impairment/blindness (Tameside Sight), Preventing Accidents in the Home (Homeinstead) and moving presentations from two patients who have survived serious illness.

Mr R Thalava, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and his team explained the Enhanced Recovery Program now being operated at Tameside Hospital. Mr Thalava’s presentation included videos of patients who had been up and walking just two to four hours after joint replacements. Patients are usually discharged after 3 days (instead of the 7-10 days which some patients experience). For this to be made possible, patients themselves become ‘part of the team’ both pre and post operatively with counselling, exercise and diet support extending after discharge. So far the feedback has been exceptionally positive and patients are making good recoveries when following the program of enhanced recovery.

Adrian Harrison of the Expert Patient Program gave his own experience and how he has now become a tutor helping other patients to manage their conditions. Thornley House is providing the venue for the new Expert Patient course due to start in January 2012 which encourages patients with long-term conditions to manage their own health. The course is free but places must be booked in advance. For further information call the admin team on 0800 988 5530

Dr Amir Hannan a GP at Haughton Thornley gave the final talk on ‘What is Self Care and what help is available’ – an interactive talk which got the audience to think about how they can look after themselves and who and what they can turn to for help when they become ill.

Haughton Thornley Patient Participation Group Secretary Yvonne Bennett said "It was a very successful event putting patients in the driving seat and availing of knowledge and advice on self care. Self care doesn’t mean ‘no care’ and the doctor is still the most important advisor but many patients can participate more actively in managing their own health themselves when provided with access to information and the encouragement to do so".