Teaming up with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, we had the pleasure of supporting and hosting a group of local organisations last week to take part in the Hampshire Blood Pressure Champions pilot, delivered by NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight and Hampshire County Council Public Health.The pilot, which is part of the Hampshire CVD Prevention programme aims to encourage community members to record their blood pressure by enabling staff, volunteers and community champions to have effective conversations about blood pressure and encourage their contacts to use a blood pressure monitor.
High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for health events such as Stroke and Heart Attack, with Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) causing 1 in 4 deaths in England. The good news though is that 80% of CVD is preventable and the Hampshire Blood Pressure Champions training helps Hampshire residents act sooner to live healthy lives and prevent ill health.
Following the session, information resources as well as a small grant was made available to cover the cost of a validated blood pressure monitor which will be used by each organisation at venues, events and gatherings. The pilot will be evaluated to monitor how many local people are being supported by Blood Pressure Champions with the aim of rolling it out wider across Hampshire.
Organisations involved in this pilot project include Basingstoke Hindu Society, Tadley & District Community Association, Hampshire County Council Public Health, Hampshire & Isle of Wight ICB, The Roger Morris Community Centre, Eastrop and The Safe Basingstoke