FREE STROKE CHECKS WILL SAVE LIVES
FREE STROKE CHECKS WILL SAVE LIVES
16 May 2011
The O’Farrell Government has taken further steps in delivering on its election promises on health, with Minister for Health Jillian Skinner launching the National Stroke Foundation’s NSW Know your numbers program at the weekend.
The National Stroke Foundation’s Know your numbers program promotes the importance of regular blood pressure checks and awareness of modifiable risk factors to help prevent stroke. During May,110 selected NSW pharmacies will help identify people at risk of stroke.
Nationals Member for Lismore Thomas George said that the program offered locals an easy and free opportunity to take charge of their health.
"The National Stroke Foundation estimates that for every 100,000 blood pressure tests conducted in the community, more than 190 strokes are prevented," Mr George said.
"So it’s great that pharmacists can assist GPs in targeting this problem."
Mr George said providing care closer to home and keeping people healthy and out of unnecessary hospitalisation was a key priority of the NSW Government.
"There are more than 1,700 pharmacies across the state - that's a huge network available to deliver better patient care," Mr George said.
In the Lismore, people are encouraged to visit one of the following clinics/pharmacies to get their free health checks:
Meridian Health Care, 33-35 Rous Road, Goonellabah
Southside Health & Hire, 13 Casino Street, South Lismore
Community pharmacy health checks were an election commitment of the NSW Government. Its plan to support community pharmacies also includes;
- Ensuring community pharmacies are supported by retaining the current legislative and regulatory regime and opposing supermarket or corporate control of pharmacies or co-location of pharmacies in supermarkets;
- Reducing hospital admissions; and,
- Reducing hospital readmissions by ensuring hospital discharge procedures include steps for contacting GPs and community pharmacies post-discharge for a comprehensive home medication review.