Blood Pressure Monitor Loans and Checks Launch at Chelmsford Library

 

 

 

On Tuesday 9 September, we celebrated the launch of our new blood pressure monitor loan scheme across Essex Libraries!

 

 

 

Residents can now borrow blood pressure monitors for free from all 74 of our libraries and two mobile libraries. Each loan pack comes with a kit including a monitor, cuff, diary, and guidance leaflet, and is available to anyone aged 18 and over in Essex, with no GP referral necessary.

 

 

As well as take home monitors, 15 libraries are hosting freestanding monitors for walk-in use. This means residents can pop in and check and print their blood pressure readings instantly.

 

 

The launch on 9 September coincided with national ‘Know Your Numbers’ Week, the UK's biggest blood pressure testing and awareness event.

 

 

At the launch, we celebrated with representatives from Essex County Council, Essex Library Service, and various health partners.

 

The scheme helps us to provide people in Essex quick and easy access to resources that help improve their health. It makes it convenient for people to check their numbers without having to book a GP appointment. It’s also accessible to all, as all 74 libraries have monitors available to borrow.

 

The decision to make blood pressure monitors available to borrow from Essex Libraries was prompted by a successful loan scheme in Suffolk libraries led by NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB).

 

 

Both the Suffolk and North East Essex ICB and Mid and South Essex ICB were also at the launch.

 

 

Dr Anita Pereira, GP at Laindon Medical Group and System Clinical Lead for Prevention, Personalisation, and Population Health Management at NHS Mid and South Essex, said: “We’re proud to be working with Essex County Council and our colleagues across other Integrated Care Boards in the East of England to support and promote this innovative scheme. By sharing clinical expertise and working in partnership, we can take a unified approach to finding and managing high blood pressure.

 

 

“This initiative is an excellent example of local partnership working to tackle health inequalities across mid and south Essex, utilising existing familiar, local resources to support residents’ health and wellbeing.”

 

 

Dr Allan Smith, GP at Abbeyfield Practice in Colchester, said: “I strongly welcome these additional monitors and their availability at libraries in Essex. These facilities are typically based in the heart of the communities they serve. It will mean more people will have easy, free access to a simple test that can help prevent heart attacks, strokes or other serious complications. Early detection of high blood pressure really can save lives and I would strongly urge everyone to make good use of this resource as well as to follow the instructions that come with the monitor and any advice from clinicians.”

 

 

Dr Jane Halpin, Chief Executive of Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB said: “You may look and feel healthy, but high blood pressure rarely has symptoms and if left untreated, can cause serious illness. We know that there are thousands of people in our area who have high blood pressure but don’t know it so I’m delighted that accessing a blood pressure check is now being made even easier through libraries across Essex.”