Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Comments no help in push for better health
Dear Editor As local GPs we were surprised and saddened to read MSP Alex Neil’s derogatory comments re g a rding those attempting to preserve the greenbelt site at Woodhall Faskine.
For this to be achievable it is important to have provision of a local environment conducive to being able to exercise easily.
Our politicians are happy to lecture healthcare professionals about the benefits of prevention over cure ( they preach to the converted as clinical evidence would support this!) and we would ask all those with a political input regarding Woodhall Faskine to follow this principle.
There are other historical and ecological reasons to convert the area into a nature park but the health benefits for future generations surely must be the primary objective.
The NHS faces an epidemic of obesity, type 2 diabetes and mental health problems. The first line management of all three is exercise, shown to be more beneficial in a natural setting.
The same applies to high blood pressure. The effects of daily exercise in the prevention of heart attacks and strokes is now common knowledge. The same applies to vascular dementia, a growing social care problem.
There is good evidence to support the fact that exercise in green space is beneficial in both the prevention and management of depression, anxiety and insomnia.
Destruction of green space undoubtedly leads to increased prescribing of antidepressants, anxiolytics and sedatives yet our mental health services are chronically underfunded.
As our children become progressively more isolated from nature and absorbed in the potentially damaging effects of social media we would urge them to make use of facilities like Woodhall Faskine.
They may not get a wifi signal but we promise they’ll get a better connection!
Dr David Walker Dr Claire Doran Dr Bernadette Higgins Dr Catrina McDowall Dr Mark Smyth Dr Prabhu Chellamuthu Dr Masood Khan Rosemary Findlay, Practice Manager Heather McLean, Practice Manager (all Airdrie Health Centre) Dr Graeme Brough Dr Maureen Ferrie Dr Susan Lawson ( all Chapelhall Medical Practice)