Mayor of H&F encourages residents to take free check-up
The Mayor of Hammersmith & Fulham Cllr Adronie Alford became the first resident in the borough to take a new free health check.
NHS Hammersmith and Fulham is making it easier than ever for people in the borough to stay healthy with free checks at six pharmacies in the borough, which began on Wednesday September 8.
The 20 minute health checks are available without appointment to anyone aged 40-74 and can see if someone is at risk of developing serious conditions including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.
Dr David McCoy, NHS Hammersmith and Fulham acting director of public health, said: “The good news is these health problems can be prevented, controlled, or even reversed. These common diseases and conditions often don’t have any obvious symptoms and are not picked up until it’s too late and that’s what we want to avoid.”
Pharmacists ask questions about a person’s lifestyle, family history and current medication and will record a person’s weight, height, blood pressure, and glucose and cholesterol levels. Advice on how to keep fit and well is given at the end of the check, and anyone needing more specialist help will be referred to a GP, or the appropriate NHS service.
Cllr Alford said: “These tests are simple, completely pain-free and a great way to keep your health in check. They can help stop people getting seriously ill, and could even save lives, and I would highly recommend that residents take up this offer.”
In H&F around 13,500 residents are affected by heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney disease and sadly they account for 37 per cent of deaths in the borough each year.
The pharmacies carrying out the checks are:
* Healthside Pharmacy, 90 Shepherds Bush Road, W6 7PD
* Parmay Pharmacy, 122 - 124 North End Pharmacy, W14 9PP
* Bush Pharmacy, 334 Uxbridge Road, W12 7LL
* Westway Pharmacy, 11 Westway, W12 0PT
* Fulham Pharmacy, 608 Fulham Road, SW6 5RP
* Boots the Chemist, Unit 5 – 6 West 12 Centre, Shepherds Bush, W12 8PP
For more information visit www.nhs.uk, call the national NHS Health Checks helpline on 0845 850 9850 or call NHS Hammersmith and Fulham’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0800 389 9092.
September 23, 2010