ENTHUSIASTIC doctors, nurses and health workers were eager to show off their new plans for services at the launch of the Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust.

As members of the trust, local health professionals can make more decisions to target the health care in Chorley and South Ribble where it is needed most.

Margaret Swift, manager of the community equipment service, said: "We are equipping people with anything from a hand rail to a toilet seat so that people can be cared for in their houses.

"We provide for disability, mobility, respiration and sensory impairment and we will install and maintain the equipment within the patients own home."

Chris Betts, head of podiatry, or chiropody, was keen to show that his team were not just about cutting people's toenails.

He said: "By using a vibrator (pictured left) on people's feet we can detect diabetes because diabetes affects the circular and nervous system and a patient would not be able to feel the buzzing.

"It is important to do regular foot checks to make sure people do not develop complications such as infections or ulcerations."

District nurse Avril Roulston, a district representative on the PCT board for Ribble Bank, said: "This is a very important service which is all about keeping people in their own homes by visiting people to give hands on care."

Jessica Burrow, a health visitor, considered her role essential for preventing illness and therefore keeping people out of hospitals.

She said: "We are all qualified nurses, with special training and experience in child health, and health promotion and education.

"We offer practical support and advice in a host of diverse situations -- many think health visitors only visit new babies and their families at home but we promote the health of the whole community."

Senior Physiotherapist Karen Yates said: "We offer assessment, advice and rehabilitation in the patients residence, in schools and in hospices.

"We also target specialised problems such as continence problems, brain injury and orthopaedic and rheumatology therapy."

The success of the PCT depends on the involvement of the whole community so please contact the trust for more information on 01772 602 804.