Essex Libraries Celebrates One Year of Helping You Monitor Your Blood Pressure

 

 

 

Essex Libraries is celebrating one year of helping customers take simple steps to better understand and manage their health through its Blood Pressure Monitor Loan Service and Freestanding Blood Pressure Testing programme.

As Know Your Numbers Week highlights the importance of checking and understanding blood pressure, Essex Libraries is marking the impact the service has had across communities throughout Essex.

Over the past year, more than 30,000 blood pressure tests have been completed using freestanding testing units in Essex Libraries, giving customers a quick and convenient way to check their blood pressure during a visit to their local library.

Delivered in partnership with Public Health Essex, the service has continued to expand and is now available in 32 libraries across the county, making it easier than ever to access free blood pressure testing close to home.

The Blood Pressure Monitor Loan Service has also helped customers monitor their blood pressure in their own time, with more than 3,100 monitor loans and renewals completed during the past 12 months. The service allows customers to borrow a monitor free of charge and track their readings from the comfort of home.

High blood pressure often has no obvious symptoms, which is why regular monitoring is so important. By making blood pressure checks easily accessible through local libraries, customers can learn more about their health and, where appropriate, seek further advice and support.

Whether you're monitoring an existing condition, checking your blood pressure for the first time, or simply taking a proactive approach to your wellbeing, Essex Libraries continues to offer free access to both blood pressure monitor loans and in-library testing.

Where can I access the service?

Blood pressure monitors can be borrowed from Essex Libraries, with no GP referral required. Each loan pack includes a monitor, cuff, blood pressure diary and guidance leaflet and can be borrowed for up to two weeks.

Freestanding blood pressure testing units are available at the following libraries:

Basildon, Billericay, Braintree, Brentwood, Buckhurst Hill, Canvey, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Dunmow, Epping, Frinton, Great Baddow, Great Parndon, Hadleigh, Harlow, Halstead, Harwich, Laindon, Loughton, Maldon, Manningtree, Prettygate, Rayleigh, Rochford, Saffron Walden, Shenfield, South Woodham Ferrers, Vange, Waltham Abbey, Wickford and Witham.

 

To find out more about the Blood Pressure Monitor Loan Service, including how to borrow a monitor or use one of our freestanding blood pressure testing units, speak to a member of staff at your local Essex Library. We're here to help you access the information, resources and support you need to better understand and manage your health and wellbeing.