Runcorn residents over 40-years-old will soon be able to pop into their local Specsavers for a check-up on their general health, and not just their eyes.
It is all thanks to a new partnership between the opticians and Halton Borough Council.
Striving for a healthier community, Specsavers has teamed up with the Halton Health Improvement Team to offer free NHS Health Check appointments once a week in store.
The Halton Health Improvement Team, part of Halton Borough Council, offers a wide range of local, tailored services designed to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Widnes and Runcorn.
The new service in store will be run by Stephen Purcell, a Health Check Officer from the Halton Health Improvement Team, who will ask simple questions about lifestyle and family history, measure height and weight, monitor blood pressure and carry out blood tests in order to advise patients on health issues such as heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, and diabetes.
Those who use the service will receive personalised advice to lower health risks, including advice on diet and physical activity, ways to lower blood pressure or cholesterol, and how to lose weight or stop smoking.
Appointments will officially begin on Thursday 23 November and will run every Thursday between 9.30am and 3pm at the Runcorn Specsavers store, with ten slots a week available.
Chris Graham, store director of Runcorn Specsavers, said: “We believe there’s a real need for this kind of service in Runcorn and are pleased to be able to provide such a high quality, all-inclusive offering to our customers.
“The Runcorn store already provides thorough and professional eye and ear care, and as we move closer to winter, now is the perfect time for people to take advantage of the extended general health services.’
Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Marie Wright, said: “For those aged 40-74 who haven’t already suffered from a stroke, heart disease, diabetes or kidney disease, we recommend an NHS Health Check every five years.
“There’s currently around 13,000 people in Halton with undiagnosed high blood pressure. Partnering with retailers enables us to reach more residents than just through GPs and gives people a more flexible way of accessing an NHS Health Check as well as other local health and wellbeing services.
“We’re pleased to work with Specsavers on this initiative and look forward to getting the service fully up and running.”
To find out if you’re eligible for the NHS Health Check, all you need to do is fill out a quick questionnaire and book your appointment directly with the store.
To find out more about the services available at Runcorn Specsavers or to book an appointment call 01928 716 200 or visit www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/runcorn