For those on waiting lists for surgery, it is of great benefit to try and maintain a healthy lifestyle - people who are a healthy weight and do not smoke recover better from surgery and have an improved quality of life after their operation.
Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) is set to launch a campaign encouraging patients to get 'Set For Surgery' over the festive season, whilst they wait for treatment in the New Year.
‘Set For Surgery’ is a unique system allowing GP surgeries to link up with hospitals providing treatment for their patients, giving patients targeted actions to work on with their GP before their operation. The programme was first piloted in Morecambe Bay in 2020 before being rolled out to everyone on waiting lists in Lancashire and South Cumbria in November 2022 following positive patient feedback.
During the Christmas period, people may be tempted to indulge in less healthy lifestyles while they wait. The website SetForSurgery.co.uk can signpost those on NHS waiting lists to health advice and services to support them in their pre-operative journey and is available 24/7 over the festive season.
There are a number of ways to try and boost your health.
The NHS Couch to 5K is one of them.
Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, this is a running plan for absolute beginners, involving three runs a week, with a day of rest in between, and a different schedule for the whole nine week plan.
