A Torbay community hub marking its 2nd anniversary is offering free health checks for local residents in partnership with a local GP Practice.
Paignton Community Hub, based at Paignton Library and running since August 2022, is working with a local GP at Paignton’s Corner Place Surgery to offer Torbay residents free health checks, including checking blood pressure, pulse, BMI (body mass index) and ECG (electrocardiogram).
Since launching this service earlier in the year, the Hub has taken over 300 Blood Pressure readings. Over 100 of these were identified as either low, raised or high, with these people recommended to regularly monitor their blood pressure for a longer period and some referred to their Surgery to seek further guidance from a trained medical professional. Paignton Community Hub Lead Claire Ball said:
“We have been working with a local GP who wanted to highlight and promote the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring, as early cardio vascular decease can have no symptoms until the patient has a life changing medical event such as a stroke.” Said Claire, “Early detection of a high blood pressure and access to blood pressure monitors allows patients to feed the data back to their GPS who can than identify and treat the patient for early cardio vascular disease. Offering this service at community places like libraries and Paignton Community Hub really will make a huge difference to people living long and healthy lives.”
Paignton Community Hub is based on the ground floor of Paignton Library, next to both Paignton’s train and bus stations on Great Western Road. Health checks are offered on weekdays between 10am and 1.30pm. Other free services are available on set days, including Diabetic Eye Screening and digital support sessions.
The Hub is funded by a contribution from Torbay Council’s Adult Social Care precept and is run by local non-profit community organisation Engaging Communities South West. They are also working with key partners from the Torbay Health and Wellbeing Voluntary Sector Network, including Torbay Community Helpline, Torbay Community Development Trust, Age UK, Citizen’s Advice Torbay, healthcare consumer champion Healthwatch Torbay, and many others.
Dr Kevin Dixon, Chair of Engaging Communities South West said: “We are facing real challenges in our rapidly changing, ageing, and unequal society. But we also have real opportunities and the will to bring together all our statutory, voluntary and community assets and resources. The Paignton Hub shows that, by working as equal partners, we can be innovative, and co-design and co-deliver services in community settings for the benefit of all our residents.”
For more information on services available at Paignton Community Hub or if you are an organisation who would like to book a room, please call 07562 780102, email info@paigntoncommunityhub.org.uk or visit the Hub between 9.30am and 1.30pm Monday to Friday.
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