Checks uncover health concerns

People in Lincolnshire are being encouraged to look after their health by taking advantage of walk-in checks at their local pharmacy, which can identify serious conditions before symptoms appear.

Free NHS blood pressure checks are available at all Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacies for anyone aged 40 and over who isn’t currently taking blood pressure medication.

Almost a third of people who received a free check with Lincolnshire Co-op during a 12-month period had worryingly high readings, which needed further investigation*.

Those patients were either offered a 24-hour blood pressure monitor – known as Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) - or were referred for a GP appointment within three weeks. The 24-hour ABPM is also a free service, and a high reading can mean a faster referral and quicker access to medication to help tackle the issue.

Three per cent of the blood pressure checks resulted in an emergency, same-day GP referral*.

Simon Lotinga (71) from Frithville had a free blood pressure check at Parkside Pharmacy in Boston, after an optician advised him to get tested urgently during a routine appointment.

He said: “I went straight from the opticians to Parkside Pharmacy. I was seen quickly, and they took a few readings. It only took ten minutes or so. The test showed my blood pressure was high, and at a level where they advised me to go straight to my doctors, which is next door to the pharmacy. I was seen by a GP and prescribed medication and came back to the pharmacy on the same day to collect it. It was all resolved within a few hours.

“Looking back, I realise I had a few symptoms, but I didn’t realise they were due to high blood pressure. I still take the medication now, and my blood pressure is at normal levels.”

Mr Lotinga (pictured above, left) said the experience, which took place in spring 2025, had made him more aware of the services pharmacies offer.

“At the time, I knew they did prescriptions and flu vaccinations, but I didn’t know about the blood pressure checks,” he said. “I now know that they can offer help with lots of different health issues and I can speak to the pharmacy team about other medical concerns instead of going straight to the GP.”

Susan Lotinga, Simon’s wife, would encourage everyone over 40 to take advantage of a free blood pressure test.

“I was amazed that you could go so quickly from the problem being identified to having a prescription to treat it. I would really encourage other people over 40 to have a blood pressure check – it’s such a simple thing to do,” she said.

A blood pressure check at a Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacy takes between 10 and 15 minutes. It’s carried out by a pharmacy team member who can talk patients through the process, explain their results, and offer health and wellbeing advice.

Lincolnshire Co-op’s Pharmacy Services Support Technician Willow Barker said: “This simple, free check can be a lifesaver. Left untreated, high blood pressure can cause serious conditions like strokes, hearts attacks, heart failure and kidney disease.

“There’s no appointment needed so you can fit it in around your life. You can just head into your local Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacy, and our expert teams will be able to help.”

Lincolnshire Co-op’s 43 pharmacies also offer a Healthy Heart Check, which costs £24.99, and can assess a patient’s 10-year risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

The finger-prick test will reveal a person’s heart age, and their total cholesterol level along with an in-depth cholesterol profile. According to NHS figures, 59% of people have raised cholesterol ** which can increase the chances of having a stroke, a heart attack or another cardiac event.

“Whether you are looking to introduce some more healthy habits into your lifestyle, have a family history of cardiovascular disease or are just curious about your wellbeing – this quick and easy test offers a valuable insight into your heart health,” said Willow.

* Lincolnshire Co-op data comes from blood pressure checks carried out in pharmacies between January 2024 and December 2024.

** Cholesterol date from the Health Survey for England - Adults' health: Cholesterol - NHS England Digital