DUDLEY Primary Care Trust’s Public Health Department has entered into an exciting partnership with The Life Channel out-of-home television network in an effort to get key health and well-being messages across to patients.

Already 31 out of Dudley PCT’s 64 GP surgeries currently have The Life Chanel installed.

The Life Channel broadcasts health information into surgeries, giving patients something useful to watch while they are waiting for their appointment.

This innovative network gives doctors’ surgeries the unique opportunity to communicate directly to people most affected by vital health issues; promote awareness of local needs; and encourage behaviour change across a range of issues including healthier lifestyles and self-management of chronic conditions.

The content displayed comes from Dudley PCT and national awareness campaigns, which is delivered in an easy to understand 'magazine' style, on a 90 minute loop.

The programmes shown can also be edited at local or practice level, giving doctors' surgeries their own television channel.

Valerie Little, Director of Public Health for Dudley PCT, said: "Dudley Primary Care Trust is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of local people by supporting them to make healthy lifestyle choices".

"Healthier lifestyles really can make a big difference and enable people to have much longer, healthier lives. Working with The Life Channel to get these messages across to local people while they are accessing NHS services will be a key tool in helping us achieve this goal."