AN online ‘one stop shop’ for all the help, support and advice available to the public about caring for themselves and keeping healthy was launched this week by the Department of Health.
The ‘Health-e Directory’ is an online guide.
Health chiefs say the concept of ‘self care’ is becoming ever more important as people are increasingly encouraged and interested in taking care of their own health and wellbeing.
According to the publicity material, self care is about people ‘taking action to maintain their own physical and mental health, meeting their social and psychological needs, preventing illness or accidents and caring more effectively for minor ailments and long-term conditions’.
When the Department of Health held its first self care summit just over a year ago, it became clear that much advice and support was being delivered locally, but that knowledge and awareness of what was available was patchy. The consensus at the summit was that the wealth of information needed to be brought together in one accessible place for the public and professions to easily access.
Lots of information has now been compiled about ‘self care’ on the website.
Cath Quilliam, director of community nursing, said: ‘At an on-island summit last year called “Your Health, Your Way”, we brought a group of staff, patient representatives and members of the voluntary sector together to look at many aspects of self care.
‘The launch of this Health-e Directory comes as a direct result of the summit and the ideas generated there – particularly the importance of promoting and supporting people to self-care.
‘We encourage both the public and health care professionals to use this online directory to find out more information about the services, organisations and networks that support wellbeing, and enable the public to help make healthier choices and take responsibility for their own care and wellbeing.
‘The webpage is designed to be easily accessible for all users. Using technology and developing new skills through self care can boost confidence, giving people a sense of control and involvement which is miraculous to see, especially those with long term conditions.’
The Health-e Directory can be now accessed online at www.gov.im/selfcare.