September 2, 2024
Free NHS Health Kiosks dispatched in York to improve community health
Three 'health kiosks' have been rolled out in York as part of a groundbreaking initiative to improve the health of the city's population. Free to use, the kiosks measure a person's height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation.
People can then use the information and speak to a local pharmacist or make an appointment with their GP practice if they have any health concerns.
The installation of the kiosks – which are about the size of a standard photo booth – is part of a collaboration between NHS Humber & North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Nimbuscare, together with healthya.
They are available at:
- Tang Hall Community Centre, Fifth Avenue, York, YO31 0UG
- Energise Leisure Centre, Cornlands Road, York, YO24 3DX
- Morrisons Supermarket, Foss Islands Rd, York YO31 7UR
The aim of the initiative is to encourage people to monitor crucial health metrics, with a particular focus on detecting undiagnosed cases of high blood pressure, or hypertension.
Hypertension rarely has noticeable symptoms. But if untreated, it increases the risk of serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes and even serious kidney disease.
Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health for City of York Council, said: "It's extremely common - probably one in three adults have it - and it's responsible for more than half of all strokes and heart attacks. But it comes with no symptoms: in that sense it's a silent killer."
Sarah Coltman-Lovell, the ICB's Director for York, added: "Initiatives like these kiosks, which help you know if your blood pressure is healthy or not, are incredibly helpful, so that through lifestyle change and/or medication, you can get yourself back to a normal level.
"By placing these health kiosks in public locations, we hope to encourage individuals to prioritise their health and, in turn, reduce the overall risk of heart attacks and strokes in our community."
Prof Mike Holmes, Chair of Nimbuscare, said: "We are delighted to be working with partners on this community-based prevention service. It is an important step in gaining insight into York's population health and anticipating any disorders in patients. We hope to continue collaboration and the implementation of similar initiatives."
Daniel Kimberling, Medical Director at Nimbuscare, added: "I encourage patients to take this opportunity to get more information about their health. If needed, there are treatments and lifestyle changes that can help them be healthier in the future. Working with the public health team and local pharmacies we hope to reach people who would have otherwise remained undiagnosed."
Dr Suhel Ahmed, a practicing GP, and Founder of healthya said: "Providing accessible self-check options like our Healthya kiosks is a crucial step towards empowering individuals to take control of their health. By facilitating these easy-to-use health checks, we not only encourage early detection of potential issues but also help reduce the burden on NHS Primary Care. Through collaboration with well-qualified partners in community pharmacy, we can ensure that patients receive timely, safe, and effective advice, leading to better health outcomes for all.”
In Humber and North Yorkshire an estimated 157,000 people are thought to have undiagnosed hypertension.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the second biggest killer in England, after dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. CVD causes a quarter of all deaths – which equates to around one death every four minutes – and is a leading cause of morbidity, disability and health inequalities.
The health kiosks will serve as a valuable tool for people to monitor their health in convenient locations. By utilising these kiosks, individuals can take a proactive role in managing their well-being and potentially identify any signs of hypertension early on.
Upon detection of high blood pressure readings, users will be seamlessly directed to their local pharmacy for further review and confirmation of any diagnosis. This pioneering approach leverages the convenience of community pharmacies, creating a seamless pathway for individuals to receive necessary follow-up care.
Members of the public are encouraged to use the kiosks which are available now. Additionally, to celebrate the launch of the scheme which coincides with Blood Pressure UK's Know Your Numbers week, the team will also be holding a pop-up event at McArthur Glen's York Designer Outlet. The team will be available in the South Entrance from 09:30 on Saturday 7th September 2024 for free blood pressure checks and advice on healthy lifestyles.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For media enquiries, email: hnyicb.communications@nhs.net. For more information about the health kiosk initiative or to schedule interviews with representatives from NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB, Nimbuscare, or Healthya, please contact hannah.taylor37@nhs.net
Media launch event
7th September 2024 York Designer Outlet
About Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership
The Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership is a collaboration of health and care organisations which brings together NHS organisations, local councils, health and care providers and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. It is committed to ensuring everyone living in in the area can live a happy, healthy life. Six geographical places make up the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership: North Yorkshire, City of York, Hull, East Riding, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire.
About Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board
NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB is a statutory organisation accountable for NHS spend and performance for 1.7 million people across a large geographical area. The ICB is a core member of the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, alongside NHS providers, local councils, health and care providers and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations.
About Nimbuscare
Nimbuscare is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to be a collaborative and agile provider that cares for its people and patients. Nimbuscare is based in York and is owned by all the practices in the city, however they deliver services over a wider footprint.
About Healthya
The healthya solution empowers users to self-monitor, better understand and self-manage their health and associated metrics. Encouraging patient-centric proactive self-management yields significant benefits in population health management.
