Member of Parliament for the Ribble Valley, Nigel Evans attended a free blood pressure check in Parliament on this week where he was able to hear first-hand about the work community pharmacists are doing to help residents in the Ribble Valley.
The event was part of a wider campaign to highlight the range of services NHS high street pharmacies offer, which in turn can help to reduce the pressures on other NHS facilities and deliver a better service for patients.
Nigel had the opportunity to speak to Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) representatives and pharmacists about the services offered at community pharmacies, including the provision of face-to-face healthcare advice and a range of clinical services.
The NHS blood pressure check demonstrated at the event is one of the many services pharmacies are providing beyond the regular dispensing of medicines.
The British Heart Foundation estimate that high blood pressure causes over 50% of heart attacks and strokes, yet high blood pressure if detected, is a condition which can be controlled, reducing the risk of a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular disease. It is therefore vitally important that everyone gets their blood pressure checked.
As a result of this, local pharmacies are offering free blood pressure checks to people over 40 with no appointment needed. This is just one of the many crucially important NHS services that is on offer at local pharmacies. Nigel strongly encourages residents of the Ribble Valley to make use of these free blood pressure checks, which will ultimately help to ease pressures on the wider NHS.
Speaking on the recent event Nigel Evans said:
“Having my blood pressure checked this week and meeting with representatives from the LPC provided a brilliant opportunity to learn more about the services community pharmacies within the Ribble Valley and across the UK have to offer.
“We all know about the crucial role of pharmacies in delivering the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations and flu jabs, but they also provide a wide range of other services, and it really is key that people continue to make use of these. Not only to keep themselves in good health but also to help ease the pressures on other NHS services. I would therefore greatly encourage everybody who can to make use of the services on offer.
“As we enter what could be a difficult winter, it is crucial that pressures on the NHS are eased as much as possible and I am hugely grateful to all those working at local pharmacies for their role in keeping us all healthy.”
Zoe Long, PSNC Director of Communications and Public Affairs said:
“The blood pressure check drop-in session was a critical opportunity to engage with MPs and reiterate our message on the pressures community pharmacies face. As many patients will know, community pharmacies across the country are doing far more than just dispensing medicines. They are offering a whole range of services and are keen to offer many more, but cannot do so without fair funding. Having MPs on board is critical to the future of community pharmacies and the role they can play in the wider healthcare system.”
To learn more about blood pressure checks and the services on offer at your local pharmacy, please visit:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/pharmacies/how-your-pharmacy-can-help/