Local residents are giving the thumbs up to new workshops to help people manage long term conditions such as type II diabetes and heart disease.

The two-hour workshops help people take control of their illness or condition by understanding how it works and what to do to manage it.

There are sessions available informing people on type II diabetes, long-term breathing difficulties – also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or COPD – and heart health.

The workshops take place in a range of locations from community centres to libraries.

Local GP and Hillingdon Clinical Commissioning Group chair Dr Ian Goodman said: “As a GP, I would really recommend these workshops to people in the borough with one of these long term conditions.

“With long term conditions there’s only so much we can do in a GP appointment. We have to rely on people to follow the advice we give – particularly where it refers to lifestyle changes.

“That’s why local GPs have set up these workshops. They are an excellent opportunity to find out more, ask questions and talk through any issues at length with people with the same condition.”

Peter Bailes, 72, from Hillingdon and a former firefighter recently attended a diabetes workshop and insisted it had helped change his approach to diabetes.

He said: “I would recommend coming on this workshop. It’s helped me to understand diabetes more. I’ll definitely try to take more exercise.”

You can sign up for a session by contacting Hillingdon Clinical Commissioning Group on 01895 203080.