Testimonials for Health Improvement Connect

As a Practice Manager and previous frontline worker in Social Work stress has been part of job for as long as I can remember - too much coffee, quick food and rushing around from place to place. I think I can definitely say I was in a precontemplation or oblivious stage no understanding of stress, weight I assumed I was roughly within the right weight and had not even considered the possibility of wider health issues.

During Health checks completed in our team as part of staff health and wellbeing focus approximately 9 months – I attended a full review health questionnaire, height, weight BMI and BP/Cholesterol check. It was from this I found I had high cholesterol (or elevated bad lipids) and that my BMI was higher than I expected. Dal gave me advice on setting goals and improving lifestyle choices explaining the links with stress, weight and periods of inactivity and summarised health findings in a health booklet. This gave me the reality check I needed and I decided to make some lifestyle changes including cutting out unhealthy snacks, increasing good fats and upping my activity…a definite challenge for me as I despise gyms!

Making sustainable changes

I realised I needed to make realistic changes started with changing my eating habits cleaner food, less processed, more prep and only limited well earned treats! Increased my walking at the weekend added in the “Swinton mile” (2 times around the Civic front large green) at lunchtime on my office days during the week and prioritised a weekly yoga/meditation class I had previously been dodging!

Results!

For me the impact has been gradual but sustained I’ve lost half a stone I didn’t know I was carrying over my BMI, I eat smaller more regularly, I’m more careful with food choices and I’m moving around more although that is always work in progress I have took steps to consistency.  

My cholesterol has gradually reduced and again this is work in progress but I’m much more aware of what I can do about it – overall I just wanted to say thankyou to Dal and the health improvement team for triggering a full behaviour change and improving my overall health and wellbeing.

Keep up the great work in supporting a healthy workforce!

The health check was great, and the people were really helpful and put you at ease during the check. (Just a shame about the results) ha-ha. Thank you

I had a health check on the 6 July. Given the pressures on the NHS and GPs in particular, general MOT checks for patients may not currently be prioritised by surgeries. Therefore, this was a great opportunity to have my cholesterol, BMI and diabetes status checked which I would not have gone to my GP about given that it wasn’t urgent.

Thankfully, my results were all good which has left me reassured. I am also aware that it has highlighted some health issues for colleagues that may have otherwise been left, leading to potentially more serious health consequences.

I think this is a fantastic project and would fully support this being open to the whole of the staff across Salford.

My health check highlighted some health problems that I was not aware of, and I can follow these up with my GP.

So, the fact that I had a Health check was very beneficial to me as I can make some changes to my diet and lifestyle and these health checks gave me a marker to make changes.

I had not been offered an Over 50s Health check with my GP - so this will hopefully be followed up with my GP in terms of actions.

Can I send my thanks to the team for their support and advice.

Much appreciated!

This service was very useful and beneficial, staff were lovely and very helpful.  My results were good and made me feel that I am doing what I can to stay healthy. Thanks

Useful to have in work! I didn’t need to leave work; I probably wouldn’t have had it if I had to go to the doctors.

Did you find it beneficial: Yes, I gave me reassurance I am fit and well

Were the staff helpful: Yes, very knowledgeable and easy to chat to.

Have the results provided made any difference to you since: Yes, I have tried to reduce my sugar intake.

Extremely useful to have the check within the workplace, saving travel time and less time spent out of the office.

Did you find it beneficial: interesting prompting me to make an appointment with my GP.

Were the staff helpful: Extremely helpful, approachable, made you feel at ease and explain everything in detail.

Have the results provided made any difference to you since: Reminded me to watch my cholesterol levels and to eat a stable diet.

Kind Regards Karen

I just feel it’s a good way for staff to have an MOT, as some GP surgeries struggle with appointments.

Have to say, it’s a positive thing.

I would like to send my thanks to the health professionals who attended Barton Moss SCC to do staff health checks. I attended and was made aware that my blood pressure was very high. I was told to get in touch with my GP who then sent me to the hospital. Was told my blood pressure was dangerously high and that I had malignant hypertension. After various test my blood pressure is now under control with medication. I am profoundly grateful the Health Check team came in as I fear as the hospital told me I could of have had a stroke.

Please send my thanks and appreciation.