HEALTH experts will be holding a healthy lifestyles information evening at Old Town Surgery this month.

The session, at the centre in Curie Avenue, is being organised by the surgery and their patient participation group and will take place on on Wednesday, April 15.

It will get underway at 6.30pm and is open to patients from the surgery.

Guest speakers will be discussing issues and providing advice on matters including healthy eating, sensible alcohol consumption, regular exercise and coping with stress.

Margaret Lay, the surgery's patient participation group’s chairman, said: “I think it is very good to hold events like this working together with doctors, staff and the committee to provide support to the community.

“The idea of the evening is provide help to the patients of Old Town Surgery. Speaking about medical issues and providing advice about how to deal with them.”

There are 45 spaces at the education evening. There could potentially be room for those who don’t attend Old Town Surgery to attend.

Those people are asked to register their interest with the surgery and will be contacted should places become available.

Patient participation groups are made up of volunteers and representatives from GP practices. They meet on a regular basis to discuss the services on offer and how improvements can be made for the benefit of patients.

Since the beginning of this month, it has been a contractual requirement for all English practices to have a patient participation groups.

Old Town Surgery’s group has been running for two and a half years.

Margaret said: “We are very proud of this practice and proud of how this group has operated. It brings patients together with the surgery and we feel it has set an example for emerging patient participation groups.

“We are very proud of this surgery and pleased to be able to help it.”

To find out more about the information evening or book a place call 01793 616057 or email ppg.ots@nhs.net.