New Forum to promote self-care

The Men's Health Forum is backing the new Self Care Forum.

The Forum was launched at its inaugural meeting yesterday at the Department of Health by Paul Burstow, minister of state for care services. The Forum's aim is to mainstream self care. Its first task is to raise awareness of this year’s Self Care Week 2011, which will take place 14 – 20 November.

MHF trustee Gopa Mitra, right, who is also director of health policy and public affairs of the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, said: 'We have been working hard to bring this forum together for some time. It is great to see Paul Burstow pledge his commitment to self care and I look forward to working with the members of the Forum, including the Department of Health, to take self care to the mainstream and embed it into our culture.

'Self Care Week 2011 will be an opportunity to build on the success of the previous two events run by the Department of Health. The Self Care Forum partners are delighted to be taking part and supporting this year’s event.'

'Makes clinical and financial sense'

Paul Burstow told the meeting: 'I'm delighted to lend my support to the establishment of a Self Care Forum to promote a wider understanding of self care, and what we can do to embed support for self care across all walks of life. The case for self care support is well researched. It makes sense clinically, it makes sense financially and it makes sense socially'.

During discussion with Forum members around self care for both long term conditions and commonly occurring conditions, the minister talked about the need to empower and educate both health professionals and patients around self care. He also stressed the importance of consistent and joined up messaging.

Professor Nigel Sparrow of the Royal College of General Practitioners, who chaired the inaugural meeting, said: 'It is fantastic that we were able to bring this group together with such clear aims and deliverables. Working with a group of clinical experts and patient group representatives committed to self care, I look forward to seeing the achievements of the Self Care Forum from this point onwards'.