13 June 2011
One of the top doctors at Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals is urging local men to take their health more seriously this week, to coincide with the launch of national Men's Health Week, which starts today (13 June 2011).
This year the week, which is run by charity Men's Health Forum in partnership with the NHS Choices website, is offering men (and boys) the chance to check their health using the latest technology: it includes the launch of an online GP surgery, iPhone 'app' and electronic 'e-card'.
Dr Martin Stockwell is the deputy medical director at the Trust and is supporting the campaign. He said: "We know that some men can be reluctant to visit their GP or talk to a pharmacist when they have questions or concerns about their health.
"Men's Health Week is a real chance for men of all ages to take more interest in their health and get any advice they need."
The online surgery is open throughout the week (and every Monday evening from 6pm -10pm) to offer men a free and secure service where they can talk to a GP in confidence. It will also feature specialist sexual health and relationship clinics hosted by sex and relationship expert Tracey Cox and counsellors from the 'relationship' charity Relate.
The week also includes the launch of a brand new iPhone 'app' called 'Bloke noises' which offers younger men and children an amusing and entertaining way to find out more about their health, providing people with a wealth of information about health problems that may trouble them, with appropriate sound effects.
Dr Stockwell explained: "The app, which is available free from the Apple app store, allows you to take a photo of your face or a friend's and then customise the body depending on lifestyle factors, for instance, diet, drinking and sex life. A cartoon body (with the photo of the person's head) will then appear."
The week will also see the launch of an electronic 'e-card', which men can send to their friends if they are concerned about their health, but perhaps find it difficult to bring up in conversation.
Dr Stockwell added: "Whenever you look for answers on the internet, it's always best to be cautious and not simply Google your symptoms and click the first link that comes up. www.nhs.uk/men and www.malehealth.co.uk are both sites you can trust.
"The week is a fantastic opportunity for men who find it difficult to talk about their health, or have any issues or questions on their mind, to find out more and take control of their wellbeing."
For more information about the week, including links to the online GP surgery, iPhone app and e-card, visit the Male Health website. For NHS advice and information about services, visit www.nhs.uk/men.
