Pharmacy-based health checks are popular
Community pharmacist Peter Barker promotes the men's health scheme |
Over 200 men in the Knowsley Primary Care Trust area have received health checks from community pharmacists during the past three months, thanks to a scheme paid for through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.
Eight pharmacies have been offering “Pitstop” health checks
to men aged 50–65 years since mid-January. The checks include blood
cholesterol and glucose tests, blood pressure measurement, lifestyle
assessment and advice on making lifestyle improvements. They take about
half an hour, including paperwork and data recording, and pharmacists
are paid £25 for each check carried out.
About one in five of the men who have used the scheme have found that
they have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease and have
been referred to their GP, Mark Pilling, acting head of medicines management
at Knowsley PCT, told The Journal. And any men on the borderline of risk
are referred back for another health check in three months’ time,
he explained. The men who have had checks so far have been pleased with
the service, Mr Pilling added. About 25 per cent have filled out a questionnaire
after the checks and all of those said they would have another health
check at a community pharmacy, and only half said they would go to their
GP for one. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
Reader