The media have been full of the problems of hospital A&E departments, due to the high level of Winter demand. Our local NHS commissioners, Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group, have been developing their strategic review, with the objective of shifting much of the demand onto GPs and community health services nearer home, leaving A&E departments to concentrate on very serious and life threatening conditions. One aspect of this is for patients to increasingly self-manage their care. This is particularly important for those with long term conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. It is also important for the prevention of ill health.
My favourite nurse tells me that a balanced diet and regular exercise are far more effective in keeping one healthy, than any medication. In Chorleywood we have an environment that certainly helps regular exercise. For walkers there is the Common. The Common also provides recreational facilities for golfers and cricketers. Maybe, one day, the Parish Council will also agree to recreational facilities on the Common for young children, such as a play area – suitably designed, of course, for the Common environment.
Henry Goldberg Chair, Chorleywood Residents Association
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