Torbay Health Hub hoping to relieve NHS pressures

Help is at hand in Paignton for people wanting basic health checks, seeking support to stop smoking, needing assistance filling out a form, or even housing advice.

It is part of the NHS in Torbay's bid to catch social and well-being issues early.

Dr Kevin Dixon, chair of Healthwatch said: "We can support people in reducing their weight, having happier and healthier lifestyles and then in five, 10, 20 years' time, some of those issues just won't be there and we can take pressure off the NHS and social services".

Paignton Health Hub is based inside the town's library and information centre.

Linda Cooper was referred to the stop smoking clinic at the hub by her GP to improve her health, "it's helped lots, I am just vaping now".

"It's convenient, you can come here and get help, talk about your rates, or fill in a form for something", she added.

Claire Bithell, health hub manager, thinks the library is the perfect fit for the hub because it is a neutral space that doesn't make people embarrassed to be asking for help.

"When you come to this building, you could be coming in for a cup of coffee, meeting a friend, changing a book, it gives people anonymity," she said.

As well as preventative care such as blood pressure checks, and medical tests that can be done in the community like cancer screenings, and diabetic eye screenings; the hub is hoping to increase what they call "digital inclusion" by offering one-to-one lessons in English, Maths and IT and support in using digital health tools.

Simon Culley, digital lead for Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, said a private digital pod will be delivered to the hub soon to provide a place for people to have virtual doctor's appointments so they don't have to wait so long to speak to their GP.

He said: "With the digital shift in the NHS's 10-year plan, it means they are focusing on a digital way of accessing their services, which is great, it's easier, it's quicker but there are a lot of people out there who are excluded because of it.

"We want people to have equitable access to healthcare, and we're here to help that in the community."

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.