Agenda item

Kaye Mann from the Department of Public Health was welcomed to the meeting to provide Members with an overview and update of the Blood Pressure Campaign. The campaign outlined the strategies being concentrated on, which focused on early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease including heart attacks and strokes. Language had been changed to use terminology such as heart health and high blood pressure as much of the information tends to be clinical.

 Efforts were being concentrated on a system wide collaborative approach to enable early prevention. The NHS Health Checks are about to be recommissioned, as they have been shown to ensure that patients' health is checked to put interventions in place if necessary. Having a targeted approach reduces inequalities and with blood pressure checks targeting the hard-to-reach cohorts, we can get outcomes for these people instead of people who may not need it.

Statistics show that 80% of heart attacks and strokes are avoidable, 36,000 people in Barnsley have heart disease and 28,800 of these occurrences are avoidable. This also indicates that a large proportion of the 55 people who are dying each month may be saved.

The Dearne area is significantly worse, specifically with late presentations. People are having strokes and heart attacks at home and are not seeking medical intervention until days later. It is hoped that the message can be conveyed that if medical help is sought immediately, it can help prevent and reduce the impact. Furthermore, by informing the public that by reducing smoking and alcohol consumption and knowing the signs and symptoms of these conditions it may help people's health.

Blood pressure is a huge factor in Barnsley and a lot of people have undiagnosed high blood pressure. Specifically people in the Dearne who do not go to the GPs for blood pressure checks and especially males in their 50's.

A public health team is going out to take people's blood pressure and refer onto the pharmacy if a high reading is indicated. They will then be fitted with a monitor which measures blood pressure for 24 hours. Posters will be going up across the Dearne and the North to promote blood pressure checks and explaining there is a specific cohort to be targeted, this initiative starts the week commencing 6th June 2022. Items such as beer mats, posters and leaflets will be used to promote the service and there will be more campaigns as time goes on.

RECOMMENDATION C. Dawson, requested social media friendly information sending to support advertising the initiative.

In the ensuing discussion reference was made to the following:

1. It was explained that GPs would be made aware of the service but that the people who do not visit a GP are the targeted cohort.
2. It is a national initiative since covid, to identify undiagnosed high blood pressure.
3. Ambulance waiting times are an issue, but people still need to be encouraged to call them.
4. Wives could be targeted to encourage husbands to get checked.
5. Defibrillators and the training to use one along with emergency first aid will be explored.
6. Approaching clubs such as Bowling, Cricket and Fishing along with workplace initiatives.

The service is exploring a different model for health checks and have identified outreach working. Balmoral tanks was suggested, and Paul Clifford was noted as having has linked in with support, so he could be contacted for advice.  Jubilee events were discussed and the Bounce into Summer event which is happening locally. Men around school waiting for their children could be identified to share the information with their male relatives.

RECOMMENDATION that Kaye be thanked for attending the meeting, for the presentation and for answering members questions.