Staff from West Sussex County Council’s three Prevention Assessment Teams will be raising awareness of men’s health issues all next month.
The events coincide with Movember – the campaign to raise awareness of men’s health issues, in particular prostate cancer and testicular cancer, and to change established habits and attitudes men have about their health.
The Prevention Assessment Teams will be providing health and wellbeing advice and promotion along with the district Wellbeing Advisors.
They will also be encouraging people aged between 40 and 74 to book a free NHS health check.
During November each year, thousands of men across the world sprout moustaches across their faces to spark conversation, and to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health issues.
Traditionally men have been reluctant to visit the doctor so the aim is to educate men about the health risks they face, and to act on that knowledge, thereby increasing the chances of early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment.
Peter Catchpole, Cabinet Member for Health and Adults’ Services, said: “With my long background in health services, I am keenly aware of the difficulties faced in getting men to accept the health risks they face so Movember is a fun way of helping to educate men.
“Using the PATs to spread the message in West Sussex is helpful as these are the teams that work with people who may not be accessing health or wellbeing services.”
Vanessa Taylor-Berry – PAT Service Manager agrees.
“Providing this type of service in the heart of the community gives men an opportunity to discuss, in confidence, any health & well-being concerns they might have whilst still fitting in with their daily work/leisure routine.
“This informal, non-clinical approach makes for a far more acceptable and relaxed style of delivering health advice to people who might not otherwise seek such advice/information.”

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Notes for editors

NHS health advisors from the Southern PAT along with wellbeing advisors from the district hub will be promoting NHS Health Checks outside Sainsbury’s in Littlehampton High Street on November 12. The Southern PAT will also be conducting appointment-only NHS Health Checks on November 23 and December 7 at the Wickbourne Centre in Wick, Littlehampton. To find out more call (01273) 268900 or email: aaw.pat@westsussex.gov.uk.
The Western PAT will be conducting appointment-only ‘Men Only’ NHS Health Checks on November 29 in Bognor Town Hall’s annex while Wellbeing Advisors who will also be offering drop-in Wellbeing MOTs advising on ‘Men Only’ lifestyle issues. To find out more call (01243) 642370 or email: pat.west@westsussex.gov.uk.
The Northern PAT will be working closely with the Mid Sussex Wellbeing Hub. There will be a ‘men’s health ‘display in East Grinstead Library foyer from October 29 – November 2. On the Monday NHS health advisors and a member of the Mid Sussex Wellbeing Hub will be offering blood pressure checks from 10am to 4pm and promoting NHS health checks. These can be booked by phoning 01444 477191 for anyone from Mid Sussex or 01293 585317 for anyone from the Crawley area. To find out more call (01403) 229510 or email: pat.north@westsussex.gov.uk.
Sussex Community NHS Trust is the main provider of NHS community health services across West Sussex and Brighton & Hove. The Trust provides a wide range of medical, nursing and therapeutic care to over 9,000 people a day. We work to help people plan, manage and adapt to changes in their health, to prevent avoidable admission to hospital and to minimise hospital stay.

For further information visit: www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk