Some of you may recall that within 6 months of starting c25k I had increased my fitness sufficiently to be taken off long term medication for high blood pressure. It seemed strange that the Doctors and nurses were not aware of this NHS initiative at the time. So I sent a letter to the practice telling them it was down to c25k that I was able to do this and gave them all the relevant information and links to the plan. The practice manager rang to thank me on behalf of the GPs and said they wanted to promote it to patients in a newsletter.
I forgot all about it, but last night I went to their website and discovered they are not only telling patients about C25k and giving links to the NHS site and podcasts, but were also promoting parkrun. Hopefully, this means that GPs are also now discussing it with patients.
How great is that? I am so pleased that the message is finally filtering down through the NHS system, whether it was down to that letter or not. Is your GP practice doing the same?
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Dexy5
Graduate10
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We celebrated NHS 50 years at parkrun last year and very few actual medical staff showed up. But we got through to a couple of practices through the publicity around running in ‘medic’ fancy dress. Later, the doctors and nurses got together to have a proper meet and a first-go at parkrun. I’m fortunate in having no real need to visit the GP since I stated C25k as I’ve been paying for my own physio (and have been for years anyway). But I don’t think at the moment I will a great example - horse injury means I am spending 3 more hours a day at the yard than usual, and haven’t run or swam since the beginning of the month.
Sorry to hear that your horse is on the IC equi. It sounds like hard work for you too. Yes, One of our practices volunteered for us one week and they loved it.
That is brills Dexy5 - I am on the same path hopefully regarding HBP . Since starting mid Feb this year my BP has steadily gone down and cholesterol problem disappeared too. Not been back to the Dr but monitoring regularly. Hopefully I will come off the pills too. 😁
That’s great. I home monitored too and took a month’s records to the pharmacist and he said I should see the GP about reducing the dosage. I was amazed when they said they were taking me off altogether. Good luck to you too.
Our surgery is very active promoting parkrun and c25k. They advertise which parkrun and when they will be running to encourage patients to join them. Large posters in the waiting room to view as well.
Great to hear this Dexy - well done ! I have mentioned c25k at appointments for my type 2 diabetes but can't see any reference on their website - I need to follow up
Our’s isn’t so far as I can see, although I don’t go in there very often(😊). I had my healthy heart test a few weeks ago and everything was spot on. They did suggest Statins but accepted that as my blood pressure was fine and my cholesterol, both types, was spot on there wasn’t any need. Running rocks ! Maybe I should drop them a line......
Well done for bringing this to their attention. It seems extraordinary that this free accessible form of improving physical and mental health isn't systematically talked about by medics. I'm a walk leader for health walks and we too see positive results but have to keep giving the same information to Medics in the hope they will pass it on as a matter of routine. If each of us broadcast the positive benefits then hopefully word will slowly filter through. Happy running everyone x
Hi Dexy5, my GP surgery is promoting C25K, and I know the GPs themselves take part occasionally in Parkrun and other events🏃♀️🏃♂️ Hopefully the message will gradually filter through. I also have a friend who works in a pharmacy and they are looking at how to link it to people’s physical and mental health.
Thanks for that David-G. Good to hear that your surgery is proactive too - it is to everyone’s advantage to be given the tools to stay fit and healthy. Or in my case, to get fit after too many years sat at a desk.
That is absolutely brilliant 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I bet that your taking the initiative like that to write to the practice has actually materially improved lots of people’s health, as some will take it up, and that’s such an achievement!
They did sound grateful for my letter. I knew that doctors were referring people to our local gym, but that can be a bit scary for someone who is unfit and overweight, and once the free vouchers run out they may not be able to continue. C25k just lets you get on with it.
Definitely, and the fact that it’s an NHS app will give a lot of people faith in it too 👍🏻
This is excellent news! One of my friends is a gp and didn’t know much about C25K when I told her I was doing it. This surprised me seeing as it’s an nhs run program?! I think all gps should be both educated in it (as if they haven’t got enough to be educated in already) and be promoting it!
David_G has shown a link above if you want to pass it on to your friend. I also believe that if each of us gets one other person on the programme, it will get the country much healthier.
Well done. This is a link to IannodaTruffe’s original post on c25k. The poster is a bit dated but his draft letter to GPs is still relevant. I drew on this when writing a more personal letter.
thanks. I've given her the NHS one you as that includes exercises for people that are less mobile but I'll send her further links when she gets to the end of all that I have written!!
You should feel so proud, not only getting yourself off medication but then spreading the word and helping others. It’s a wonderful programme and you’ve re-energised me in my fight to launch parkrun here in France despite the apathy and resistance of the town hall. I’m seeing my gp soon and I’ll tell her all about it. Fingers crossed, and huge congratulations and thanks to you. Xxxx
I am proud of my surgery for embracing c25k once it was brought to their attention. I think the NHS was not publicising it’s own programme well enough but that has also changed. Good luck with setting up parkrun in France- I am sure you will get there.
This is great, Dexy5. Congratulations to both you and your surgery. I’m going to have a look on our surgery boards this afternoon, as they do publicise all sorts of health groups. If C25k isn’t there, I’ll write to the practice manager - I think in our place, she handles this sort of thing.
I did mention I’d started C25k to my gp way back when, and his eyebrows flew up and he murmured a slightly startled, “Oh... very good...” I might be living proof that you’re never too old! 🤣🤣🏃🏼♀️
Went to the Dentist recently, I haven't been in the Doctors surgery for over a year, and they demanded to know 'what medication I was on'. I had a lot of trouble convincing them that it was just a shampoo for the Seborrheic Dermatitis in the 69 year old's beard.
'Wot no statins, no beta blockers, no .... ?' ' Nop, just the shampoo.'
I didn't need any dental work either.
Wasn't like that before C25K. Think of the millions I've saved the NHS already!!!!
I emailed my docs practice and am not aware that anything has happened. I've also told 2 doctors at the practice in person. One had heard of it and one hadn't. I've been asked to write an article for the Residential Boat Owners Assoc magazine though. Must get that finished and emailed over.
This is so amazing Dexy5! What a fantastic achievement in not only gaining the benefits, but paying it forward! 😍 You will no doubt touch many lives of people you may never meet! 😃 Amazing initiative and success! Well done you!! 🤩❤️
Great news and fabulous that you shared it with the doctors and their subsequent response is ideal. Our doc surgery supports parkrun and gives links on its website. Let’s hope soon all will do the same.
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