Free health checks in Kells and Oldcastle for Heart Month
Identifying chronic disease risk in time
Healthy Meath are launching a free chronic disease risk management programme in community pharmacies in Kells and Oldcastle from Monday 4th September, in association with Heart Month.
The purpose of the pilot programme is to provide free health checks to the population to identify risk behaviours that lead to the development of chronic diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Advice and support to manage and reduce identified risk factors aims to support a reduction in chronic disease burden in citizens of Meath. Funding is provided by Meath County Council under the Healthy Ireland Fund, supported by the Department of Health.
Healthy Meath is leading this initiative in partnership with a range of stakeholders, including the Irish Pharmacy Union, Kenlis Total Health Pharmacy Kells, Lynch's Total Health Pharmacy Kells, McQuaid's Pharmacy in Oldcastle, Roche Diagnostics, and Healthy Ireland.
Susan O’Dwyer of the Irish Pharmacy Union says: "As the most accessed healthcare provider community pharmacies are ideally placed to raise awareness of the risk factors for the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, to help in there detection and to provide advice and support to reduce them."
Neil Sokay, pharmacist and owner of Lynch’s Total Health Pharmacy, says he is delighted to be taking part in the initiative noting that ‘this is a great opportunity for the people of Kells and Oldcastle to get a free health check in their local pharmacy.
Aisling O’Donnell, Healthy Ireland co-ordinator with Meath County Council said: "The free chronic disease risk management programme is one of the steps Healthy Meath are taking to support people living in Meath to improve their health and wellbeing. Approximately 9,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease in Ireland, deaths which in some cases can be prevented through early detection and improving lifestyle habits. This initiative is aligned with the Healthy Ireland Fund Local Strategy for Meath County Council which aims to reduce death from chronic diseases amongst the population in County Meath."
If you are interested in attending a free health check, contact one of the participating pharmacies:
Kenlis Total Health Pharmacy Kells 046 924 7944 / kenlis@totalhealth.ie
Lynch’s Total Health Pharmacy Kells 046 924 0515 / lynchspharmacy@gmail.com
McQuaids Pharmacy Oldcastle 049 854 1138 / mcquaidspharmacy@gmail.com
Pictured above – Leas Chathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr. Paul Mc Cabe pictured at the launch with (L-R) Cllr Gillian Toole, Director of Services, Barry Lynch, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at The Irish Pharmacy Union, Jim Curran, Healthy Ireland Coordinator for Meath Aisling O’ Donnell, Professional Services Pharmacist at The Irish Pharmacy Union Lara Marín Healthcare Development Manager Roche Diagnostics Sinéad Murphy, Pharmacist Kenlis Total Health Pharmacy Jai Sokay and pharmacist, Lynch’s Total Health Pharmacy Neil Sokay.