Often dubbed the "silent killer," high blood pressure affects an estimated 32% of adults and is frequently presented with no symptoms. However, leaving it untreated can have devastating consequences, including heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and vascular dementia.
Despite the majority of high blood pressure cases being asymptomatic, a new survey reveals a concerning lack of awareness. Only 7% of respondents (one in 14) understood that the condition can be symptomless.
As of March 2024, the NHS is offering free blood pressure checks at participating pharmacies over the next two years, with an additional 2.5 million tests available. This initiative targets people aged 40 and over, who are at higher risk for high blood pressure.
The procedure is quick, painless, and doesn't require an appointment – perfect for busy schedules.
This push comes in light of a concerning survey. Despite most high blood pressure cases having no symptoms, only 7% of those surveyed understood this. Additionally, 17% avoided checks because they felt healthy.
The service can be provided by suitably trained and competent pharmacy staff, and can be made easier with having the correct Blood Pressure Monitors available from the BIHS approved list of devices, such as a Fully Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor (also known as a “Waiting Room Monitor”) like the A&D TM-2657P.
A Fully Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor is simple use and removes the need for connecting the cuffs in the right place, suitable for both arms, those who are pregnant or in a wheelchair and can be used without the need of a medical professional. Some pharmacies, hospitals and GP Surgeries have this machine for patients to “self-triage” as the one-button operation and slim printout will give the clinician the information needed to diagnose the risk of Hypertension and the need for a possible ABPM.
Hypertension Case-Finding Service in Pharmacies
Publicly known as the “NHS Blood Pressure Check Service”, the Hypertension Case-Finding Service was first commissioned in 2021 to help reduce pressure on GPs as well as giving patients more flexibility in self-care when it comes to their Blood Pressure, aiming to reduce the number of undiagnosed and untreated hypertension cases in the UK.
This program helps identify and manage high blood pressure (hypertension) in people aged 40 and over. Participating pharmacies offer two phases:
- Clinic Check:
- Free blood pressure measurement for eligible individuals.
- No appointment needed.
- Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) (if clinically necessary):
- Worn for 24 hours to capture a more accurate picture of blood pressure.
Benefits for Pharmacies:
Earn fees per service:
- £15 per clinic check
- £45 per ABPM
- (Initial incentive program for equipment purchase has ended)
- Fees are paid for services requested by GPs as well.
Eligibility & Requirements:
- Pharmacies must be equipped to offer both stages of the service.
- Staff must be trained and competent in using the equipment.
- The Responsible Pharmacist oversees delegated tasks.
Funding & Payment:
- A one-time setup fee of £440 covers initial expenses.
- Claims are submitted electronically through the MYS portal monthly, within 3 months of service provision.
- Double billing for the same activity is not allowed.
Data Reporting:
- Data on completed services is automatically submitted by the pharmacy's IT system.
- Data for ABPM is reported after both clinic check and ABPM are completed.
De-registration:
- Pharmacies de-registering within 30 days forfeit the setup fee.
Additional Information: For complete details, please refer to the official program guidelines**.
Equipping Your Pharmacy for Blood Pressure Monitoring Services
Before offering blood pressure monitoring services, ensure you have the necessary equipment for both stages:
- Clinic Blood Pressure Checks: You'll need a validated blood pressure monitor (BP meter) that meets the standards set by the British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS).
- Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM): Invest in an ABPM device that's also validated by the BIHS.
Finding Validated Equipment:
The BIHS maintains two lists of validated BP meters:
Validated BP Monitors: Suitable for clinic checks.
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A&D TM-2657P Waiting Room Blood Pressure Monitor with Stand£1,430.49 (£1716.59 inc VAT) -
Omron Complete Automatic Upper Arm BPM and ECGWAS Regular Price £129.99 NOW Special Price £102.99 (£123.59 inc VAT)
Saving you 21% -
Omron M7 Intelli IT Blood Pressure MonitorWAS Regular Price £79.58 NOW Special Price £69.88 (£83.86 inc VAT)
Saving you 12% -
A&D UA-767S-W Atrial Fibrillation BP Monitor Wide Range CuffWAS Regular Price £40.85 NOW Special Price £29.99 (£35.99 inc VAT)
Saving you 27%
Validated ABPMs
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TM-2440 ABPM with A/Fib Detection inc. Small Cuff, Standard Cuff, Case and SoftwareWAS Regular Price £986.99 NOW Special Price £686.99 (£824.39 inc VAT)
Saving you 30% -
TM-2441 ABPM with A/Fib Dectection Extra Cuff and Case inc. Standard and Small Cuff£1,090.91 (£1309.09 inc VAT) -
-
-
Welch Allyn 7100 ABPM Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor with CardioPerfect Software£1,896.20 (£2275.44 inc VAT)
All our digital blood pressure monitors and ABPMs are suitable for professional medical use. You can find the full range of Digital Blood Pressure Monitors here and our ABPMs can be found here
Additional Considerations:
- Resetting ABPMs: Remember to reset the ABPM for each user to ensure accurate readings.
- Regular Maintenance: Both clinic BP meters and ABPM devices require periodic validation, maintenance, and recalibration according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Infection Control: Follow the manufacturer's or supplier's cleaning instructions and adhere to current infection control guidelines.
By taking these steps, you'll ensure your pharmacy has the proper equipment and procedures for providing reliable and safe blood pressure monitoring services.
If you are still unsure what solutions will suit your pharmacy, or if you'd like to discuss how we can support you further with this or any other service, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01992 893 398 or email us directly at [email protected].
Sources:
*https://www.gov.uk/government/news/get-your-blood-pressure-checked Published 11 March 2024;
**https://cpe.org.uk/national-pharmacy-services/advanced-services/hypertension-case-finding-service/ Updated on: 5th July 2024;
British and Irish Hypertension Society Valided Blood Pressure Monitors: https://bihsoc.org/bp-monitors/for-home-use/ Accessed 25th July 2024
British and Irish Hypertension Society Validated ABPMs: https://bihsoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Validated-BP-Monitors-For-Specialist-Use-British-and-Irish-Hypertension-Society-2.pdf Accessed via https://bihsoc.org/bp-monitors/for-specialist-use/ 25th July 2024