Western Kings Memorial Health Centre hosts wellness fair

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

novanewsnow.com

Annapolis Valley Health (AVH) invited the public to drop by its annual fall wellness fair at the Western Kings Memorial Health Centre (WKMHC) site in Berwick to do some 'one-stop-healthcare-shopping" November 2.

This is the second year in a row that health-care providers in the former WKM hospital facility gathered to showcase the variety of services available on site, but it is the first occasion that the public has been involved. Susan Miles, site manager for the WKMHC, said last year's event was held primarily to promote better health among staff at the centre adding having the public attend was a natural extension of that philosophy. She noted the wellness fair provided a great opportunity to see what health services the building has to offer and also pick up some health care tips. "Our professional staff have so much health-enhancing information to share, so this event was a great place to go and get answers to health-care questions and learn what services are provided in the community."

The WKMHC is one of AVH's five sites and it offers outpatient, laboratory, and diagnostic imaging services and nutrition and mental health counselling. A physiotherapy clinic is also available on site as is a VON adult day centre. Representatives from these departments and other community health-focused organizations including the Western Kings Community Health Board were on hand to answer questions about programs and services. A blood pressure clinic was also held and a nurse was available to conduct blood sugar testing.

Information about the health centre's upcoming series of educational sessions was also promoted at the fair. The first of four workshops, which will focus on diabetic information is scheduled for December 14. Additional sessions in January, March and May of next year will explore the topics of smoking cessation, family meal planning and sleeping habits respectively. All workshops will be held in the evenings from 7-9 p.m. They are free of charge but registration is required by calling Jan at 538-1318.

A variety of door prizes was handed out at the wellness fair. They included a one-year membership at the Greenwood Fitness and Sports Centre, gift certificates for free massage and baskets of healthy goodies.