New lifestyle on prescription tool for Cheshire East residents to improve their health

A new lifestyle on prescription tool has been launched to help people across the borough improve their health.

Based on research on lifestyle interventions and designed to be easy to use, the tool encourages small and manageable changes to improve diet and exercise, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake and other positive lifestyle habits.

Cheshire East Council working together with local NHS and care partners, developed the tool along with pharmacists, social prescribers, GPs, residents, and voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) colleagues.

The intended audiences for the lifestyle prescription tool are:

• The public, who might access the tool via libraries, or the Cheshire East Council website
• People diagnosed with a new long-term condition where lifestyle changes are the treatment such as pre-diabetes, hypertension, low level mental health issues, and the menopause
• People starting a new medication for a long-term condition
• People who are awaiting a procedure or operation.

Councillor Jill Rhodes, chair of Cheshire East Council’s adults and health committee, said:

“We are excited to launch this new lifestyle prescription tool today, which has the potential to help thousands of people across the borough improve their health and reduce their risk of chronic diseases.

“Lifestyle change can lead to better health and by making changes, however small, you can make a big difference to your health and wellbeing.

“These lifestyle changes could also help you avoid medical treatment in the future.”

The lifestyle prescription tool will initially be available to all patients through the Cheshire East Council Live Well online directory.

To learn more about the lifestyle prescription tool, please visit the council’s Live Well web page at:

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/livewell/health-matters/health-conditions/lifestyle-on-prescription/lifestyle-on-prescription.aspx