SALSA dancing and poetry will all be on the agenda as the county's healthcare groups gear up to get Ipswich healthy.On Friday, a myriad of different health groups from therapists to patient forums will get together to show people in East Suffolk the changing face of health.

By Jessica Nicholls

SALSA dancing and poetry will all be on the agenda as the county's healthcare groups gear up to get Ipswich healthy.

On Friday, a myriad of different health groups from therapists to patient forums will get together to show people in East Suffolk the changing face of health.

Ipswich Town footballers will also be on hand to kick off the day which is aimed at getting people in the area involved in their health care.

The day, which has been dubbed, Come Alive, has been set up by Ipswich Primary Care Trust, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust and the borough and county council and is there for people to find out about getting and staying healthy.

Jan Rowsell, spokeswoman for Ipswich Hospital said: "There will be lots of action desks there to show people how they get involved with their NHS.

"It is their NHS and their chance to help shape services and that is the message we want to get across."

Ms Rowsell said it would be a day of vibrance with salsa dancers showing passion and celebration.

She said: "Things like poetry and art integrate well with people's health and well being."

The poetry will reflect life people's feelings through life during the last 60 years which is the time that the NHS has been in being.

It will also reflect change which is what the health day is also about – showing what is being done to improve health and social care in the region and the changing faces of it.

As well as being able to get involved with different services there will also be a chance for people to find out how to get themselves healthy, test their stress levels, and even get complementary therapies such as head massage and aromatherapy.

Also part of the day will be a chance for people to go to the annual public meetings of Ipswich Hospital and Ipswich Primary Care Trust along with a question and answer session.

The day will be held at the Galleria at Ipswich Town Football Club in Portman Road between 9am and 4pm.