Patients in south east London (SEL) have reported that trust and access issues impact on accessing blood pressure care from clinical teams, and that community based blood pressure tests and education would help to address these concerns (Mabadiliko Insight report). In response to this and as part of a health inequalities project to reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease in southeast London, primary care clinicians including from Clinical Effectiveness SEL (CESEL) and community groups have come together to co-develop and deliver community blood pressure testing and education in several settings across SEL. They have captured the learning from this work to share with others in a new Community Blood Pressure Screening Tool: A Training Resource.

The tool is designed to support local, collaborative projects focusing on people with the greatest risk from high blood pressure in a new and innovative way – bringing together:

• Community groups/ organisation with an interest in working in the health inequalities space

• Community pharmacy teams engaged in providing NHS blood pressure checks (see Blood pressure check service - South East London ICS)

• GP teams providing blood pressure checks, education and ongoing hypertension care

The tool has been tested in GP practices and community events e.g. fetes and fairs. They want to roll out the tool across SEL, in settings and at times designed to be most accessible to those who would benefit most. This project has identified funding of approximately £2.5K each for eight SEL community groups to work with pharmacies or GP teams in their neighbourhood/community to roll out this tool and deliver community blood pressure education and testing. They would anticipate the teams/collaborations would offer 3 - 4 blood pressure education and testing events over a 12-month period, using learning from each event to improve the next one. They hope that at the end of the project, teams feel there is value in continuing the service and even build on this to offer more e.g. Vital 5 checks, through the community/clinical partnerships developed.

The tool is designed to be self-explanatory and used without external support, teams/collaborations will be supported with an introductory webinar.

The project is supported by a task and finish (T&F) group, which includes Health Innovation Network (HIN), Kings Health Partners (KHP), CESEL and Cardiac Network. Queries and concerns that arise can be sent to the HIN and will be addressed by the T&F group.  

Participating teams/collaborations are asked to capture their learning at the end of the project to share with the T&F group, who will bring this together for an end of project report to share learning.

Please complete this form if you are a GP practice or PCN, community pharmacy or community group/organisation who would like to roll out this tool. Their preference is that you apply as a team/collaboration of:

• Community group/organisation + community pharmacy team

• Community group/organisation + GP Practice

• Community group/organisation + PCN team We can help to try and match groups that apply individually.

Priority will be given to working in areas with the greatest need.

‍

Closing date for application: 11th April 2025

‍

Read more information and submit an Expression of Interest.

Watch a short video guide to submitting an Expression of Interest.

Watch an information webinar on the Community Blood Pressure Screening Tool.

‍

Please email Elisabeth Morgans or Stephanie Atta with any queries.

‍

‍