New Devon-based scheme lets residents borrow blood pressure monitors for free

Starting today (Monday 8 September), people in Devon can borrow blood pressure monitors from their local library. 

The new scheme is available in more than 50 libraries as part of the One Devon initiative, coinciding with Know Your Numbers! Week which encourages people to keep an eye on their blood pressure. Each kit includes a monitor, an instruction leaflet, a diary to note results, and advice on what to do if blood pressure is high. 

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Kits can be borrowed for up to three weeks. 

Checking at home is quick and straightforward, and it can help prevent serious health problems.

It also saves time for patients and GPs. 

The aim is to help people monitor their blood pressure at home and share results with their GP surgery if needed.

Regular checks can save lives, reduce pressure on GP appointments, and help people take action before health problems develop. 

The scheme has already proved helpful for local residents.

Iain Harris, who used a library monitor during an earlier trial, discovered just how useful it can be. 

"It was a shock, but a helpful one," he said. "It made me take action, and my blood pressure soon improved."

Find out more here