RELATE Worcestershire is calling on local government to give more NHS support to couples where either partner is living with long term health conditions as part of its Best Medicine campaign.

The charity which operates in Bromsgrove and Redditch, is asking people to sign a petition following the release of a report based on a YouGov poll, which found that around one in four people with a life-limiting health problem or who were disabled said their condition had impacted negatively on their relationships with partners, friends, family or colleagues.

Val Northcote, counsellor at Relate Worcestershire, said: “It can be a long road when you’re living with physical or mental health condition, and couple, family and social relationships are a vital part of making the journey better. Yet when we need our relationships most, the effects of having a health condition can pile on the pressure. That’s why Relate Worcestershire is calling on local health policy makers to put relationships at the heart of the NHS. We want excellent relationship support to be made more accessible at the point of diagnosis and beyond. There are 15 million people living with long term health conditions in the UK, a number of whom will live in Worcestershire, so please sign our petition today to show your support.”

The charity is offering to help people with health conditions varying from strokes and cancer, to depression to help maintain strong relationships. They also offer counselling to people who are struggling to deal with a diagnosis and the fallout, who need help telling others what is happening, or who are supporting someone else. For more information on the services available in Bromsgrove and Redditch call 01905 28051 or write to info@worcsrelate.plus.com or visit www.relate-worcestershire.org.

To sign the Best Medicine petition, visit relate.org.uk/thebestmedicine.