Ethnic group health drive a big success

Officials took action after research showed that many families did not understand the workings of the National Health Service.

An event called Your Health, Our Role was staged at the SureStart centre, in McNay Street, to increase awareness.

Organisers were concerned that members of Darlington's 50-family ethnic community did not fully appreciate the intricacies of the health service and were not making the most of the services available.

Darlington Primary Care Trust health visitor Kath Lane said: "We discovered that people didn't really know about the roles of GPs, paediatricians, district and school nurses. So we decided to do something to let them know about the various facilities in Darlington for when they need help.

"We did some work with the families to find out exactly what their health needs were. The informal event was the result."

The event was attended by early years practitioners, a staff nurse, a consultant paediatrician, the child and adolescent mental health services, dental services, district nurses, a health visitor, Citizens Advice Bureau, ethnic community workers, the primary care trust healthy lifestyle officer, midwives, domestic violence specialists and a family doctor.

"Children can get a bit confused as they grow up dual speaking," said Mrs Lane.

"We are there to help with that issue and if they have any speech difficulties.

"With the adults, a lot of people would not know that we are also there to prevent ill-health by promoting healthy lifestyles. We can advise on diet, exercise and smoking cessation, for instance."

She said the service could also provide support for children with behaviour problems, as well as issues such as dental hygiene, tuberculosis, ante-natal care and domestic violence.

One of the people who attended the session, Mary-Ann Wood, came to Darlington from the Philippines five years ago.

She said: "Events like these really help in bringing everyone together."