Cirqit Health

People who have control over their lives, and destiny, enjoy better health than people who do not. Cirqit aims to tap into the natural energy that people have when they are encouraged to follow their own ideas and will build health from 'bottom up'. This differs from the 'top down' approach, where needs are assessed and then the medical model suppl... ies what is needed[2]. GPs at ANMG can, for example, suggest it as a space for patients to meet with others with the same health issues in support groups, or share new life skills. Patients who take up this opportunity help tofill the social gaps in their own, and others', health care, by building resilience and social connections. They may be cooks, nutritionists, choir leaders, craft makers, dancers, artists, tai chi instructors and musicians. Any patient can offer to host an interactive life skills session. Cirqit is an experiment for south-west Melbourne ('build it and they will come') but is based on a successful model of community-centred care that its founders have experienced in the UK. The Robin Lane Health and Wellbeing Centre now works with more than 50 enthusiastic citizens who deliver 30 different kinds of groups and activities. These 'Practice Champions' also support service delivery in many different ways including for example increasing the numbers of people attending Saturday flu clinic from 300 to over 800 people. "The Champions have enabled a lot of things to happen which wouldn't have been able to happen otherwise", Linda Belderson, GP. According to Dr Mev Forbes, Managing Partner, lives have been transformed, people are no longer isolated; they have made new friendships and use services differently. Laneway Learning is another community-centred learning model for Cirqit. A series of cheap, informal evening classes taught by ordinary people from the local community, Laneway Learning first started in Melbourne in March 2016 and has since spread to other cities. [1] Dr Niall McCloud, GP, Exeter, cited Reducing the pressure in General Practice: a ...Read More