Kirsty speaks at health conference

Airdrie woman Kirsty Allan was among the guest speakers at the first annual conference held by Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire (H&SCNL).

The 26- year- old volunteers with the town’s Parkinson’s self-help group and runs a social media site keeping people with disabilities updated on local events.

Kirsty – who won the youth achievement prize at the inaugural national learning disability awards earlier this year – spoke to the 300 attendees about the support she has received, as part of the review of the area’s integrated health and social care set-up.

The event at Ravenscraig sports centre also served as the launch of new online tool “Making Life Easier”, which gives users initial access to a wide range of health and social care support.

Morag Dendy, who oversees self-directed support in North Lanarkshire, said: “A selfassessment only takes around 10 minutes to complete and the responses given will offer possible solutions.

“It provides help and support on a wide variety of difficulties and concerns including things like mental health, financial concerns, difficulties with daily activities or addiction issues.”

The tool can be found at www. makinglifeeasier.org.uk.

Janice Hewitt, chief accountable officer for H& SCNL, said: “The integration of health and social care is only 18 months old, but collaboration between staff has enabled us to make such a positive difference.”

Integrated joint board vice-chair Dr Avril Osborne added: “We heard many examples of how people’s lives are being enhanced.

“There will be challenges ahead, but working in partnership is one key to creating a happy, healthy future for and with our local population.”