Thanks to the volunteers for giving up their time. To date they have done an astounding over 3300(!) health checks and over 180 sessions since the start of the project. More coming this month!

The sessions take place across the Borough in GP surgeries, community groups and events, libraries, leisure centres, and many more.

The Health Navigators see people with high blood pressure (BP) and send their results to their GP surgeries. These results then get reviewed by their GP and go on to BP medication which hopefully prevents any cardiovascular diseases.

Many residents report back that they feel relief that something bad could have happened which has now been caught, and can hopefully be prevented through careful management now that they and their health team are aware of their measurements.

One particular example was last year, a resident Viv, showed a dangerously high blood pressure reading during a routine health and wellness check at the David Weir Leisure Centre, and our volunteer Pam (lady with pink hair in the picture) took Viv straight to A&E.

Pam was reunited with Viv recently, at another session at the David Weir Leisure Centre, where Viv had brought several of her friends. Both Pam and Viv are delighted to report that following last year's medical intervention, Viv's blood pressure is now normal. Viv was thankful that our health and wellness check had picked it up, reducing her risk of heart attack. Well done, Pam!

They also do BMI checks and help with getting onto the NHS app if you need some digital support.

If you would like to get involved in the project or would like to invite Health Navigators to your settings, please contact lishavarghese@vcsutton.org.uk