Press Release: Mental Health Awareness Week May 12-18, 2014

Mental Health Week Awareness Week, sponsored by the Mental Health Foundation, begins
on Monday 12
th
of May. The Patient Participation Group at Clee Medical Centre has been
running a Support Group for Anxiety and Depression for almost two years now. Some
academics argue that patient led initiatives are vital to ensure that the National Health Service
provision is cost effective and responds to the needs of the population. In short, it is time for
the experience of patients to be listened to and heard.

Rick Garrod Chair of the PPG says: The Practice should be commended in supporting
patients to set up this initiative. Dr Sibtain has been appointed as Lead Practitioner for
Anxiety and Depression following our assertion that such an appointment was critical. We
are fortunate that the Practice has now ensured the presence of Clinical staff at our meeting.
On a number of occasions Gemma (Practice Nurse) and Maxine (Health Care Assistant) have
made significant contributions at our meetings that have made an immediate impact on the
welfare of patients.

Paul Collins Facilitator of the Group says: Being Facilitator of the Group has presented
me with many challenges and has required support from a number of sources. Our initial
steps in setting up the Group were taken with guidance from officers at Depression Alliance.
We have made useful contact with Professor Irving Kirsch, formerly at Hull University and
now at Harvard. Irvings research led to NICE changing their guidelines on the treatment of
anxiety and depression. His research implies that talking therapy should be an essential part
of any treatment plan and that is the basis of our Support Group; which meets on alternate
Monday mornings at 11am.

Rick Garrod Chair of the PPG: There have been many hurdles to overcome to gain the
Practice and Patients trust to enable us to set up the Support Group; in fact it is far from
plain sailing. However, when patients stop you in the car park and say: I think what you are
doing in there is great or I couldnt wait to get to the next meeting, combined with the
changes we have seen in attendees mood, it makes it all worthwhile.
From our experience I firmly believe that all Practices, and the NHS in general, would
benefit from having PPG led Support Groups.


Chairperson of PPG: Rick Garrod Tel: 01472 593058

Group Facilitator Paul Collins Tel: 01472812156 Mobile 07543576871