Building Health Partnerships
In North Cumbria we are looking at the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and heart disease, and the detection of conditions like atrial fibrillation which could lead to stroke.
Members of the Third Sector, the West Cumbrian Voices’ for Healthcare, the Stroke Association, Rotary, Healthwatch Cumbria, North West Ambulance Service, Community Pharmacy Cumbria and Public Health are working with NHS colleagues to shape and develop the project.
You can find out more about IVAR and the BHP process here: https://www.ivar.org.uk/our-research/building-health-partnerships/
The process offers support to design a collaborative approach to health challenges, with some members of the group going on to leadership training with the Kings Fund.
The group offered blood pressure and pulse testing to look for atrial fibrillation;
- Whitehaven Traders Day on June 14th in the ground of St Nicholas Church in Whitehaven.
- Distington Vintage Rally on July 7th
High blood pressure and atrial fibrillation are known to significantly increase your chance of having a stroke, but can be treated relatively easily.
- Cumbria Community Pharmacy is offering testing at four pharmacies in Copeland: Mirehouse Pharmacy, the Seacliffe Pharmacy in Kells, Seascale Pharmacy and Whitehaven Late Night Pharmacy. Anyone who has not been treated for a known medical condition and hasn’t had a recent blood pressure test can be seen and may be asked to use a home monitoring portable blood pressure testing device.
I was very pleased to see so many people come and get checked. If you get the car MOT’d and the central heating boiler serviced – next on the list are you and the people close to you.”
For more information about risk factors and stroke www.stroke.org.uk
Read a blog from Kevin Walsh – District Governor for Rotary Clubs throughout Cumbria and Lancashire 2013-14 on ‘Community Health Melas – Some thoughts for the future.’
