New machines make blood pressure tests more accessible for patients

Patients can now easily check their blood pressure to help identify preventable health conditions thanks to new accessible machines.

Neath Local Cluster Collaborative (LCC) has invested in multiple blood pressure machines so patients can easily access early diagnostics.

Patients registered at Alfred Street Primary Care Centre, Tabernacle Medical Centre, Victoria Gardens Surgery, Waterside Medical Practice and Quays Medical Practice can make use of the new devices situated in the waiting areas.

Dr Deborah Burge-Jones (pictured), Neath LCC lead and GP partner at Quays Medical Practice, said: “Patients can use the new machines while they wait for their appointment, or they can call into the practice if they wish.

“You place your arm into the tube and it provides a print-out with your reading which can be handed into reception.

“It is there for patients to find out their blood pressure and then if the reading is abnormal, we can deal with that accordingly once the print-out is handed in.

“Patients wouldn’t need an appointment as they can just pop into the practice and follow the instructions set out.

“If there are issues, we can arrange an appointment to look at lifestyle changes or, if required, look at medications to help people keep safe.

“By the very nature of these accessible machines, they also allow for clinic appointments to be freed up to support the more vulnerable patients in surgery.”

All GP practices, including Castle Surgery, Dyfed Road Health Centre and Skewen Medical Centre, have been given mobile blood pressure monitoring devices.

They are for patients to take home and do a series of readings to help GPs understand if treatment is needed, or not in some cases.

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

Pictured: The blood pressure machine at Quays Medical Practice.

“High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, all of which are highly prevalent in the Neath area,” Deborah added.

“We wanted to increase the opportunity for blood pressure diagnostics within our cluster area, as it can have a big impact on people’s health with no symptoms whatsoever.

“We have already seen diabetic patients using the machine to check their blood pressure, when perhaps they wouldn’t have normally come in for an appointment.

“If their result has been higher than normal, then we have been able to change their treatment and better manage their risk factors.”

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

Deborah said: “We are very much aiming to improve rapid community-based diagnostics for patients in Neath.

“Blood pressure monitoring is one of those areas which can make a significant difference when looking at preventable and avoidable health issues.

“By providing these machines in our waiting rooms, we can help patients take responsibility for their own health, help detect early possible issues and enable early management processes to be put in place should it be required.”