The Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) officially launched a new project on Friday November 18.

‘Link to Wellbeing’ is a two year project funded by NHS Charities Together and aims to support individuals waiting for orthopaedic surgery to maximise their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing in preparation for surgery.

The project is led by the WHSCT Health Improvement, Equality and Involvement Department in partnership with WHSCT Trauma and Orthopaedic service and 10 local Community and Voluntary Sector organisations who will deliver ‘Prehabilitation’ style programmes to individuals on waiting lists for hip or knee replacement surgery.

The ‘Link to Wellbeing’ project will aim to deliver 24 eight week community based programmes. These programmes will be delivered throughout the geography of the WHSCT in community settings and will cover a number of different topics to include; movement and mobility, healthy eating, pain management, peer support, mental health and condition management.

Chief Executive for the Western Trust, Neil Guckian commented: “It can be challenging for patients maintaining their health as they await surgery. We hope the ‘Link to Wellbeing’ project will be an extension of care for people on our orthopaedic waiting lists. The project will offer individuals the opportunity to maximise their overall health with our partners in their community. By ensuring people are in the best health prior to surgery we can hope for a more positive recovery post surgery and better health in the longer term.”

Delivery partner Davina Coulter, Oak Healthy Living Centre added: “We are delighted as a delivery partner to be involved in this timely project to help reduce the pressures of the Trauma & Orthopaedic Departments. We believe the outcomes of this project will enhance and empower the participants involved to look after their Health Well-being in preparation for surgery and recovery.”

One of the programme beneficiary, comments; “It was good to know that someone was think about us and reassuring to know we haven’t been forgotten about.”

For more information on the project, please contact Claire Hamilton, project co-ordinator on 028 7186 5127.