New machines allow people in some Swansea GP practices to easily monitor their blood pressure, weight and more to help encourage healthy lifestyles.

The health monitors are available in GP practice waiting rooms across the Llwchwr Local Cluster Collaborative (LCC).

Patients registered at Estuary Group Practice (Gowerton Medical Centre, Penclawdd Health Centre and Penybryn Surgery), Princess Street Surgery, Talybont Surgery and Ty’r Felin Surgery can use them in the waiting areas.

Pictured: Llwchwr LCC lead Dr Sowndarya Shivaraj and Princess Street Surgery practice manager Lorraine Thomas.

Each monitor will ask the patient to enter their date of birth and gender so they can be identified, before being asked a set of lifestyle questions.

They are then guided through the measurement process, which will measure their height and weight, calculate their body mass index (BMI) and check their blood pressure.

Dr Sowndarya Shivaraj, Llwchwr LCC lead, said: “The introduction of the health pod monitors in our GP surgeries offer patients a convenient and accessible way to check their blood pressure and BMI without needing to wait for a nurse appointment.

“The self-service tool also helps identify important lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol use, which can significantly impact blood pressure and overall health.

“By flagging these risks early, we are better able to offer timely health advice and support.”

Patients can pop into their GP practice at a time that suits them, without the need for an appointment.

Lorraine Thomas, practice manager at Princess Street Surgery in Gorseinon, said: “The machines have been well used.

“Everything appears on a screen and there’s a questionnaire where patients are asked if they smoke and want help to quit, and it will ask about alcohol intake too.

“The information then gets stored on their clinical records so GP practices can monitor them.

“Or patients can also get a printout of all of their readings to take home with them too.”

Monitoring blood pressure and BMI can be beneficial when it comes to identifying a number of preventable health issues.

It is hoped that by using the machines, patients will benefit from detecting any potential health issues as early as possible.

With the results logged digitally, staff can deal with any abnormalities or issues accordingly.

“Within Llwchwr LCC we have a cardiovascular project,” Lorraine added.

“So our healthcare assistant will look at patients’ results from the monitors and look at whether their blood pressure or BMI is a bit higher than recommended, for example.

“The patients can then be contacted and asked if they would like us to provide any lifestyle advice.

“Most people aren’t aware of their blood pressure and other readings, such as their BMI, so it is helpful for them to be able to come in and check and then they can monitor it.”

Sowndarya added: “High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke, so regular monitoring is vital for early detection and management.

“If the health pod detects high blood pressure, our teams will be alerted and the patient will be offered a follow-up appointment for further assessment.

“Where appropriate, we also provide support for smoking cessation and alcohol reduction.

“We encourage all our patients to make use of this service and take an active role in monitoring and maintaining their health.”