1st Edition 2004
______
Whalley Range Health Forum
Health Profile & Guide to Local Health Services
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WHALLEY RANGE HEALTH PROFILE
DIRECTORY
OF
LOCAL HEALTH
SERVICES
IN
WHALLEY RANGE 2004
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in association with
MANCHESTER COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT FUND
FOREWARD
Welcome to the 1st edition of the Whalley Range Forum Health Profile combined with the Whalley Range Forum Health Services Directory Services. We hope that you will find it as useful. The Health Profile is a research document that has been carried out in the Whalley Range area, with the help of the Whalley Range Health Forum, Manchester Metropolitan University, Community Audit and Evaluation Centre, local health services and local people. The directory has been published as an information guide to local health services that exist and operate in Whalley Range. However, the directory does not cover all health services and organisations in the Whalley Range area, but is compiled of health service providers and health related organisations that wished to have their details published.
If your organisation is not listed or if you have any alterations/additions please complete the amendments form and return it to the address below, and we will make the relevant changes.
The directory has been compiled by the ‘Whalley Range Health Forum’ and has been funded through the Community Empowerment Fund.
The Whalley Range Forum would like to thank everyone who participated and contributed to the directory.
If you have any queries or comments, please ring:
Forum Co-ordinator on: 0161 881 3744
or by post to: The Whalley Range Forum
c/o JNR8 Community Centre
82 Cromwell Avenue
Whalley Range
Manchester
M16 0BG

Fax: 0161 881 3313

Whalley Range Forum Health Profile
Whalley Range Forum Health Services Directory
SUBJECT INDEX
PAGE

INTRODUCTION TO WHALLEY RANGE HEALTH PROFILE 1-7

COMMUNITY HEALTH GROUPS 8

COMPLIMENTARY THERAPY 9-15

COUNSELLING SERVICES 16

G.P. SURGERIES 17-20

HEALTH and SOCIAL CARE 21-24

HOSPITALS 25

MENTAL HEALTH and SOCIAL CARE 26

SPORTS and LEISURE ACTIVITIES 27-29

ALPHABETICAL INDEX 30

USEFUL NUMBERS

ADDITIONS/AMENDMENT FORM

WHALLEY RANGE FORUM HEALTH PROFILE
WHALLEY RANGE FORUM HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTORY

WHALLEY RANGE HEALTH PROFILE

Whalley Range is a highly populated ward, the National Census 2001 states that Whalley Range accommodates around 12,109 people (see Figure. 1), compared to that of the national average of Manchester of 439,549. The aim of this document is to find ways to improve services and the quality of life for the residents of Whalley Range. To find ways that Whalley Range residents can achieve the best physical, psychological, socio-economic well-being.

Fig. 1

Past research carried out by the Whalley Range Health Forum and other agencies has identified that Whalley Range has a number of health challenging issues and results have shown that there is a definite need to improve health care provisions in Whalley Range. The Health Forum’s main concerns are around the state of health of Whalley Range residents and to prevent further deterioration to their health.

The document has been compiled by collecting information from a number of key sources, local residents from the community, groups and organisations, as well as other sources of secondary data.

Poverty, isolation, lack of opportunities and overall poor housing conditions are just some of the factors that make-up some of the health problems both physically and mentally in Whalley Range.

Below are some statistics taken from the Manchester Public Health Report 2002 which show unemployment rates (see Figures. 2 and 3), and statistics of people claiming welfare benefits in Whalley Range (see Figures. 4 and 5) compared to that of our neighbouring affluent ward Chorlton.

Comparison of Whalley Range and Chorlton Unemployment Rates 2002

Fig. 2Fig. 3

Comparison of Whalley Range and Chorlton Households in Receipt of Welfare Benefits 2002

Fig. 4Fig. 5

Whalley Range is recognised as one of the most diverse and culturally acclaimed areas in Manchester (see Figure. 6). With such a wide range of people from different backgrounds there are number of health issues that exist.

Fig.6

People from certain backgrounds are prone to certain illnesses and ill-health, partially due to their diets and lifestyle. Many of these illnesses and diseases have resulted in death. Below are the mortality rates for Whalley Range founded by the Primary Care Trust for The Manchester Public Health Report 2002, (see Figures. 7 and 8).

Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Recent studies carried out by Central Manchester Primary Care Trust for the National Census 2001 have shown that when residents from Whalley Range and Chorlton were asked to define the state of their own health, over 10% of people in Whalley Range compared to fewer than 9% of people from Chorlton felt their health was not good (see Figure. 9).

Fig. 9

A number of issues around the lack of medical care and medical facilities in Whalley Range have been raised by attendees at the Whalley Range Health Forum meetings. Through the Health Forum meetings and through first hand and secondary data collected by the health forum it has become more apparent that people from Whalley Range feel that medical care is not enough and that there is a need for alternative services and facilities to be made available to the community to help them to manage their own health and be able to live healthier lifestyles. Over 40 local people were asked by the forum worker over a period of time about how they felt about the lack of health facilities in the area. Around 80% felt they would like to have a fitness regime but felt that this was not possible due to the fact that they would have to travel outside of the area to a gym or leisure centre and that they would not be able to afford the fees.

In March 2004 16 women were asked about how they felt about health care in Whalley Range and what services they would like to see made available to them. The women who attended this session were mainly of Asian origin and felt that they couldn’t mix due to cultural restraints and language barriers. They asked for women only groups to be held locally.

A recent survey quoted in the Guardian carried out by a national men’s magazine stated that Manchester has the dubious honour of being Britain’s ‘fattest’ city. Researchers looked at the lifestyle of men from 22 different cities in Britain, looking at their daily fat and calorie consumption, drinking habits and the number of fast food outlets. Their lifestyles were balanced against that of gym membership, availability of open spaces and the consumption of fruit and vegetables. It was identified that there are hundreds of fast food outlets and alcohol establishments in Manchester which provided various ways to eat and drink junk food. While there are limited opportunities for exercise and healthy lifestyles. It stated that if these kind of eating and drinking habits and unhealthy lifestyles continued the consequences will be that over the next 10 years half of the population of Manchester will be obese.

According to figures released last year, men in Manchester can expect to reach the age of 71 years compared with the average male lifespan of 75.9 years and women fall short of the average of 80.6 years with a life expectancy of 77.3 years.

Source – ‘The Guardian’ (January 2004) – Chief Executive’s Report to the NHS; Securing Good Health for the Whole Population.

The above report reflects a recent survey which took place in Whalley Range this year, carried out by the health forum worker in January 2004. Whalley Range has over 15 takeaways and fast food outlets in its vicinity, ranging from fish and chip shops to kebab shops. Over 30 households were asked by the forum worker how many times a week they purchased food from these takeaways, nearly all of them said that they purchased their families main meal from the takeaways at least twice a week, if not more in some cases.

The large number of fast food outlets linked with the lack of cheap/free facilities for leisure and fitness within Whalley Range are contributing factors for the high incidence of hear disease, obesity and general ill health in the area.

A local newspaper recently published an article around healthy eating in Whalley Range. The local youth and community centre JNR8 has been offering weekly healthy cooking sessions for children from as young as 7 years. The sessions have been set up to raise awareness and tackle issues around the rise of obesity in children, and to teach children the benefits of home cooking and how to cook using healthy ingredients. The sessions were set up due to recent studies.

The project has been funded by South Manchester Primary Care Trust through the Whalley Range Health Forum. and focused it

Source – ‘The Manchester Metro News’ (June 2004)

This article reflects the findings in past research carried out by the Whalley Range Forum and by JNR8 youth workers who set up a number of activities around the year and still only come into contact with less than 30% of the young people in Whalley Range. Most young people feel that there is not enough to do in Whalley Range so they choose to stay indoors and watch television or play computer games instead of travelling to other wards to do some energetic activities. They don’t watch what they eat and often rely on junk food to keep them going through out the day.

There needs to be more health and well-being initiatives for young people in Whalley Range and a local venue for them to go to where they can have access to sport equipment and gym equipment. Better diet and nutrition for children and the elderly is needed, many pregnant women are eating the wrong foods and not gaining enough nourishment during pregnancy resulting in low birth weight babies (see Figure. 11).

Fig. 11

The drinking trend in Whalley Range is becoming more frequent. Whalley Range itself does not have a large number of pubs or wine bars, but its neighbouring ward Chorlton has over 10 public houses and wine bars in its vicinity. Members of the Whalley Range Health Forum have raised the issue several times at previous meetings that over the past couple of years the alcohol consumption of young professionals has risen to the point that it has become a problem resulting in street drinking. Street drinking has increased the number of anti-social behaviour incidents leading to the police being called out on a number of occasions, and also the rise in the number of people being treated for alcohol related illnesses. One of the main causes of blame for this rise in alcohol consumption is stress and the pressures that people are faced with in their everyday lives.

The rise of alcohol consumption has also affected young people as young as 11 and the problem is at its worst in relatively affluent areas.

Whalley Range has only 4 G.P. surgeries compared to that of Chorlton which has at least 6 G.P. surgeries and one local Health Centre offering a range of services and clinics as well as a community dental service. All the surgeries in Whalley Range are completely full and often only offer additional services to enlisted patients only.

It is apparent that there is a need for a purpose built health centre in Whalley Range offering a range of services and facilities to local people. Central Manchester Primary Care Trust recently carried out a health needs assessment where they asked local people of various ages and ethnicities about what they thought were priority services needed in Whalley Range (Fig. 10).

CMPCT – Health Needs Assessment Top - Services in Demand –April 2004

Fig. 10

Only a fraction of these services are available in local G.P. surgeries which results in people having to travel to outer areas to access other services. It would be much more convenient to have the services available in Whalley Range, as there is a large population of people who find it difficult to travel outside of the area on regular a basis, such as; elderly people residing in the area and a large population of people whom English is a second language.

Mental health is another big factor contributing to poor health in Whalley Range. Research has shown that a increasing proportion of people in the area are experiencing signs and factors relating to mental health. These people are not receiving any type of treatment or care for their illnesses. Only the people who have been referred through by their G.P.’s, hospitals or self-referrals are being treated. There is an urgent demand for a drop-in clinic where people who are suffering from mental ill health, depression etc; can visit. Many of these people are isolated or are to afraid to go else where for help.

Overall Whalley Range has a wide range of health inequalities which contribute to poor health arising from social and economical deprivation. There needs to be definite changes made to the way health care is provided in Whalley Range. People should be entitled to have access to health care services and facilities without having to travel to surrounding wards and other neighbouring areas, as most surrounding wards have their own health centres and leisure centres. Pregnant women and young mothers may attend appointments and baby clinics on a regular basis which will ensure their children a healthy start in life.

If Whalley Range is provided with these facilities, maybe then residents will feel more empowered to attend clinics and use leisure facilities as they will not have to travel out of the area and it may fit into their lifestyles better.

 COMMUNITY HEALTH GROUPS

WHALLEY RANGE HEALTH FORUM

Bill Williams

c/o JNR8

82 Cromwell Avenue

Whalley Range

Manchester

M16 0BG

0161 881 3744

Fax0161 881 3313

Office hours 9.00am – 5.00pm

The Whalley Range Health Forum is a sub-group set up from the Whalley Range Forum. The Health Forum meets bi-monthly and helps identify the particular health and well-being requirements of local people and to find ways to meet the needs and improve services. We particularly welcome the involvement of health workers who live in Whalley Range. The Health Forum liaises closely with the Primary Care Trust and the LAGs (Local Action Groups) to make Whalley Range a healthier place to live.

If you would like to get involved or would like more information please contact: Noreen on 0161 881-3744.

Also available:

Publication of ‘Whalley Range News & Events’ a bi-monthly newsletter.

Recruits volunteers

Disabled Access

 COMPLIMENTARY THERAPY

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE

Lucy Ascham

5 Russell Road

Whalley Range

Manchester

M16 8DJ

0161 226 8683

07949522655

Web

Mon – Fri - 9.30 – 5.00 pm

The Alexander Technique is a simple and practical method for self-improvement and self-help. The technique can help you to learn how to prevent or alleviate conditions associated with undue tension or poor posture, and can help you with many difficulties with joint and muscle problems, breathing disorders and stress related conditions.

The Alexander Technique can enhance rehabilitation after operations, injuries or illnesses. Also can provide support during pregnancy and preparation for childbirth.

The technique can help with:

Poise, vitality and improve co-ordination

Breathing and speaking can become easier

Movement becomes freer, lighter and more enjoyable.

Performers and Sports People

Performers can improve stamina, increase clarity of perception, free up spontaneity and manage stage fright.

Sports people can improve flexibility, timing and efficiency, to be on form more consistently.

Using the Alexander Technique you can become:

Alert

Balanced

Relaxed

Focused

Effective

Confident

Please contact us for further information on lessons and prices.

COMPLIMENTARY THERAPY

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

Barbara Shepard

South Manchester Clinic

16 Yèomanry Court

90 Whalley Road

Whalley Range

Manchester

M16 8AZ

01422 842344

07786261590

web

Mon - Fri – 9.30am - 5.00pm

Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle yet profound therapy. It creates a subtle internal balancing, a centring of the whole system. It is a healing process which can influence deeply held patterns of disease, both physical and physiological. Craniosacral Therapy works progressively deeper and it seeks to resolve the problems that underline the cause of ill health and disease.

-It is a safe and effective method in the treatment of all kinds of conditions.

-Can be used for those with difficult to treat histories and conditions.

-It is so gentle that it can even be used on new-born babies, pregnant mothers and the elderly or fragile.

Previous patients have seen changes do with their state of mind, energy levels and their overall sense of well-being.

Cranial Therapy can help the following conditions:

Headaches and Migraine, Tinitus, Injuries – Whiplash, Sprains and Strains,

Muscular Aches and Pains, Back Pain and Sciatica, Nervous Disorders,

Hyperactivity, Depression / Stress, Hormonal Problems, Organic and Digestive Problems, Post Operative Problems, Learning Difficulty, Birth Trauma, Pregnancy.

Also available:

Deep Tissue Massage – helps to clear restrictions and congestion.